Concise Neurology Study Guide Flashcards

Flashcards covering the basics of neurology, including the nervous system, neurons, neuroglia, and brain structures.

Nervous System

The body's internet and command center.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The main office including the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

All the nerves going out to every part of your body.

Afferent Messages

Info coming to the CNS.

Efferent Messages

Instructions going from the CNS.

Somatic Nervous System

Stuff you control, like waving.

Autonomic Nervous System

Automatic stuff, like heartbeat and digestion.

Sympathetic Nervous System

"Fight or flight" response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

"Rest and digest" response.

Neurons

The messengers that send electrical signals.

Neuroglia (Glial Cells)

The support crew for neurons.

Cell Body (Soma)

The neuron's main office.

Dendrites

Branches that receive messages.

Axon

A long cable that sends messages out.

Myelin Sheath

Fatty insulation on axons that speeds up messages.

Sensory Neurons

Bring info to CNS from senses.

Motor Neurons

Carry instructions from CNS to muscles.

Interneurons

Connectors within the CNS.

Astrocytes

Star-shaped cells that do support jobs in the CNS.

Oligodendrocytes

Cells that make myelin in the CNS.

Microglia

Tiny vacuum cleaners in the CNS.

Ependymal Cells

Cells that line fluid-filled spaces and help CSF move.

Schwann Cells

Cells that make myelin in the PNS.

Satellite Cells

Cells that support neuron cell bodies in the PNS.

Wallerian Degeneration

When an axon is cut, the part after the cut breaks down.

"All-or-None" Principle

Either the neuron fires a full message, or it doesn't fire at all.

Synapse

The tiny gap between neurons.

Presynaptic Neuron

Sends the message across the synapse.

Postsynaptic Neuron

Receives the message across the synapse.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that jump the gap between neurons.

Excitatory Neurotransmitter

Tells the next neuron "FIRE!"

Inhibitory Neurotransmitter

Tells the next neuron "DON'T FIRE!"

Summation

The neuron adds up all the signals to decide if it should fire.

Cerebrum

Biggest part of the brain; thinking, personality, senses, voluntary movement.

Cortex (Gray Matter)

Wrinkly outer layer of the cerebrum that does the smart stuff.

Frontal Lobe

Planning, decisions.

Parietal Lobe

Touch, temperature, pain.

Temporal Lobe

Hearing, memory.

Occipital Lobe

Vision.

Basal Ganglia

Helps control movement smoothly.

Limbic System

Emotions, memory.

Thalamus

Relay station for senses (except smell).

Hypothalamus

Boss of body functions (temp, hunger, hormones).

Brainstem

Connects cerebrum to spinal cord; basic life support.

Cerebellum ("Little Brain")

Coordinates movement, balance, posture.

Spinal Cord

Connects brain to body; handles reflexes.

Dura Mater

Tough outer layer of the meninges.

Arachnoid Mater

Web-like middle layer of the meninges.

Pia Mater

Delicate inner layer of the meninges.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Clear fluid that cushions and nourishes the brain.