MED terms quiz 10

Nervous System

Coordinates all of the body’s voluntary and involuntary actions by transmitting electrical signals to and from different parts of the body.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Consists of all the nerves and ganglia outside of the brain and spinal cord.

Cranial and Spinal Nerves

There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

Functional Divisions of Nervous System

Sensation, response, and integration.

Sensation

Receiving information about the environment, either external or internal.

Motor (Efferent) Branch

Carries signals away from the CNS to effector organs like muscles and glands.

Integration

The CNS processes sensory information and generates an appropriate response.

Neurons

Responsible for computation and communication in the nervous system by transmitting electrical signals.

Glial Cells

Provide support and maintenance for neurons and nervous tissue.

Parts of a Neuron

Cell body (soma), axon, dendrites, axon terminals, and possibly the myelin sheath.

Myelin Sheath

Insulates the axon and helps propagate the electrical signal quickly.

Gray Matter

Contains many cell bodies and dendrites.

White Matter

Contains myelinated axons.

Types of Neurons

Sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons.

Sensory Neurons

Carry signals from sensory organs to the CNS.

Motor Neurons

Carry signals from the CNS to muscles and glands.

Interneurons

Transmit impulses between other neurons, often within the CNS.

Astrocytes

Provide support to neurons and maintain the blood-brain barrier.

Satellite Cells and Schwann Cells

Two types of glial cells found in the PNS.

Schwann Cells

Form the myelin sheath around axons in the PNS.

Meninges

Three protective layers: dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Cushions the brain and spinal cord and is involved in nutrient and waste exchange.

Hydrocephalus

Swelling in the brain caused by the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), leading to potential cognitive issues.

Corpus Callosum

Connects the two hemispheres of the brain and allows communication between them.

Dermatomes

Areas of the skin that send sensory information to the brain through specific spinal nerves.

Spinal Cord

Connects the brain to the body and carries signals to and from the brain.

Regions of the Spinal Cord

Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral.

Afferent Division

Sensory division of the PNS.

Efferent Division

Motor division of the PNS.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements by transmitting motor commands to skeletal muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary functions like heart rate, digestion, and respiration.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Controls the "fight or flight" response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Controls "rest and digest" functions.

Neurologist

Diagnoses and treats conditions related to the nervous system.

Neurosurgeon

Performs surgical operations on the nervous system.

Electroencephalograph (EEG)

Device used to record the electrical activity of the brain.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals that assist or inhibit the transmission of signals across synapses.