Central Nervous System Overview

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary related to the Central Nervous System including structure, function, disorders, and terms related to brain function.

Cephalization

The concentration of sensory and neural organs at the anterior (rostral) end of the CNS during animal evolution.

CNS Structure

The Central Nervous System consists of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for integrating, processing, and coordinating sensory and motor commands.

Neural Tube

The embryonic precursor to the CNS, formed during the early stages of fetal development.

Ventricles of the Brain

Fluid-filled spaces in the brain that are continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord, containing cerebrospinal fluid.

Gray Matter

Regions of the CNS that consist mainly of neuron cell bodies and unmyelinated axons.

White Matter

Regions of the CNS that consist mostly of myelinated axons and fiber tracts.

Diencephalon

A region of the forebrain that includes the thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus.

Cerebellum

The part of the brain that coordinates voluntary movements, balance, and motor skills.

Basal Nuclei

Clusters of neuron cell bodies located deep within the cerebral white matter, involved in the regulation of motor activities.

Pyramidal Tracts

Nerve pathways in the CNS that facilitate voluntary motor control through upper motor neurons.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A clear fluid that cushions and nourishes the brain and spinal cord, circulating through the ventricles and subarachnoid space.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A selective permeability barrier that protects the brain from harmful substances in the bloodstream while allowing essential nutrients to pass.

Parkinson’s Disease

A degenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to motor symptoms.

Alzheimer’s Disease

A progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to cognitive decline, characterized by plaques and tangles in brain tissue.

Spinal Cord Composition

The spinal cord contains gray matter in the center shaped like a butterfly, surrounded by white matter.

Reflex Arc

The neural pathway that mediates a reflex action, consisting of sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons.

Somatic Sensory Pathways

Afferent pathways that relay sensory input from the body to the CNS for processing.

Efferent Pathways

Descending pathways that transmit motor commands from the CNS to effector organs, such as muscles.

Spina Bifida

A congenital malformation caused by incomplete closure of the neural tube, leading to potential spinal cord and nerve damage.

Hydrocephalus

A condition characterized by excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain, often due to obstruction.

Cerebral Palsy

A group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone or posture caused by damage to the developing brain.