Nervous System

plexus

a network of interconnecting nerves

brainstem

part of the brain responsible for critical survival (breathing/heart rate ect.)

cerebellum

part of the brain responsible for smooth, coordinated movements

thalamus

part of the brain, relays sensory info from the spinal cord and midbrain to cerebral cortex

sypathetic nerves

fight or flight

parasympathetic nerves

ordinary circumstances- rest and digest 

peripheral spinal nerves

transmits signals to and from the CNS

nerve

is one or more bundles of neurons that connect the brain and spinal cord with other parts of the body

tract

is a bundle or group of nerve fibers located within the brain or spinal cord.

Ascending nerve tracts

carry nerve impulses toward the brain

Descending nerve tracts

carry nerve impulses away from the brain.

ganglion

is a nerve center made up of a cluster of nerve cell bodies outside the central nervous system

innervation

means the supply of nerves to a specific body part.

plexus

is a network of intersecting spinal nerves

Receptors

are sites in the sensory organs

stimulus

is anything that excites (activates) a nerve and causes an impulse

impulse

is a wave of excitation transmitted through nerve fibers and neurons.

reflex

is an automatic, involuntary response to some change, either inside or outside the body.

Neurons

are the basic cells of the nervous system that allow different parts of the body to communicate with each other.

brain waves

creates patterns of neuron electrical activity

dendrites

are the root-like processes that receive impulses and conduct them to the cell body

process

is a structure that extends out from the cell body.

axon

is a process that conducts impulses away from the nerve cell.

Terminal end fibers

are the branching fibers at the end of the axon that lead the nerve impulse from the axon to the synapse.

synapse

is the space between two neurons or between a neuron and a receptor organ.

Neurotransmitters

are chemical substances that make it possible for messages to cross from the synapse of a neuron to the target receptor

Acetylcholine

is released at some synapses in the spinal cord and at neuromuscular junctions; it influences muscle action

Dopamine

is released within the brain and plays a role in motivation, pleasure, and muscle movement.

Endorphins

are naturally occurring substances that are produced by the brain to help relieve pain.

Norepinephrine

affects alertness and arousal, increasing blood pressure and heart rate, and releasing stores of glucose in response to stress

Serotonin

which is released in the brain, has roles in sleep, hunger, and pleasure recognition. It is also sometimes linked to mood disorders.

Glial cells

provide support and protection for neurons, and their four main functions are

• (1)

  to surround neurons and hold them in place,

• (2)

  to supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons,

• (3)

  to insulate one neuron from another, and

• (4)

  to destroy and remove dead neurons.

myelin sheath

is the protective covering made up of glial cells. This white sheath forms the white matter of the brain and covers some parts of the spinal cord and the axon of most peripheral nerves

white matter

The portion of the nerve fibers that are myelinated

myelinated

means having a myelin sheath. It is the color of this covering that makes these fibers white.

gray matter

portions of the nerve fibers that are unmyelinated are known as

unmyelinated

means lacking a myelin sheath.

central nervous system

is made up of the brain and spinal cord. These structures are protected externally by the bones of the cranium and the vertebrae of the spinal column

meninges

are the system of membranes that enclose the brain and spinal cord (singular, meninx)

dura mater

is the thick, tough, outermost membrane of the meninges.

dura

hard

mater

mother

epidural space

The inner surface of the vertebral column is known as the

subdural space

is located between the dura mater and the arachnoid membrane in both the subdural space

arachnoid membrane

which resembles a spider web, is the second layer of the meninges and is located between the dura mater and the pia mater.

Arachnoid

means having to do with spiders.

subarachnoid space

which is located below the arachnoid membrane and above the pia mater, contains cerebrospinal fluid.

pia mater

which is the third layer of the meninges, is located nearest to the brain and spinal cord

Pia

tender

Cerebrospinal fluid aka spinal fluid

is produced by special capillaries within the four ventricles located in the middle region of the cerebrum

cerebrum

is the largest and uppermost portion of the brain. It is responsible for all thought, judgment, memory, and emotion, as well as for controlling and integrating motor and sensory functions

cerebral

means pertaining to the cerebrum or to the brain

cereb

brain

cerebral cortex

which is made up of gray matter, is the outer layer of the cerebrum and is made up of elevated folds and deep fissures

Gyri

are the elevated folds of gray matter in the cerebral cortex

Sulci

are the fissures of the cerebral cortex

fissure

is a normally occurring deep groove. Skin fissures, which are crack-like sores

cerebral hemispheres

The cerebrum is divided to create two…

corpus callosum

lower mid point… cerebral hemispheres are connected to it

left cerebral hemisphere

controls the majority of functions on the right side of the body

right cerebral hemisphere

controls most of the functions on the left side of the bodyvv

frontal lobe

controls skilled motor functions, memory, and behavior.

parietal lobe

receives and interprets nerve impulses from sensory receptors in the tongue, skin, and muscles.

occipital lobe

controls eyesight.

temporal lobe

controls the senses of hearing and smell, and the ability to create, store, and access new information.

thalamus

which is located below the cerebrum, produces sensations by relaying impulses to and from the cerebrum and the sense organs of the body.

hypothalamus

is located below the thalamus

cerebellum

is the second-largest part of the brain. It is located at the back of the head below the posterior portion of the cerebrum

midbrain and pons

provide conduction pathways to and from the higher and lower centers in the brain. They also control reflexes for movements of the eyes and head in response to visual and auditory stimuli. Pons is the Latin word for bridge.

medulla oblongata

which is located at the lowest part of the brainstem, is connected to the spinal cord. It controls basic survival functions, including the muscles that make possible respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure, as well as reflexes for coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting.

spinal cord

is a long, fragile, tube-like structure that begins at the end of the brainstem and continues down almost to the bottom of the spinal column

peripheral nervous system

consists of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves that extend from the brain, plus 31 pairs of spinal nerves that extend from the spinal cord.

Peripheral

means pertaining to body parts that are away from the center of the body.

Autonomic nerve fibers

carry instructions to the organs and glands from the autonomic nervous system.

Sensory nerve fibers

receive external stimuli, such as how something feels, and transmit this information to the brain where it is interpreted.

Somatic nerve fibers aka motor nerve fibers

convey information that controls the body’s voluntary muscular movements.

cranial nerves

12 pairs…originate from the under-surface of the brain

peripheral spinal nerves

31 pairs…are grouped together and named based on the region of the body they innervate.

autonomic nervous system

is organized into two divisions, one comprising sympathetic nerves and the other parasympathetic nerves.

Homeostasis

is the process of maintaining the constant internal environment of the body.

sympathetic nerves

prepare the body for emergencies and stress by increasing the respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood flow to muscles

fight-or-flight response

which is the body’s natural reaction to real or imaginary danger.

parasympathetic nerves

return the body to normal after a response to stress

anesthesiologist

is a physician who specializes in administering anesthetic agents before and during surgery

an

without

esthesi

means feeling

anesthetist

is a medical professional who specializes in administering anesthesia but is not a physician, for example, a nurse anesthetist

neurologist

is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the nervous system

neurosurgeon

is a physician who specializes in surgery of the nervous system.

psychiatrist

is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating chemical dependencies, emotional problems, and mental illness

psych

means mind

psychologist

has a doctoral degree but is not a medical doctor. This specialist evaluates and treats emotional problems and mental illness

social worker

is a trained therapist, usually with a master’s degree

Cephalalgia aka headache

pain in the head

migraine headache

which may be preceded by a warning aura, is characterized by throbbing pain on one side of the head.

warning aura

disturbance perceived by the patient preceding a migraine headache or epileptic seizure.

Cluster headaches

are intensely painful headaches that affect one side of the head and may be associated with tearing of the eyes and nasal congestion

encephalocele aka craniocele

is a congenital herniation of brain tissue through a gap in the skull

Congenital

means present at birth

herniation

means protrusion of a structure from its normal position. Compare this with a meningocele.