neuro physiology

anatomical divisions of nervous system

central nervous system, peripheral nervous system

physiological divisions of nervous system

autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic), somatic nervous system

what types of functions is the autonomic nervous system responsible for

involuntary

what types of functions is the somatic nervous system responsible for

voluntary → motor control of muscles, sensory information from muscles

two parts of the CNS

brain, spinal cord

parts of the PNS

nerves, sensory receptors

functional components of sympathetic nervous system

“fight or flight” reactions, mobilizes energy for emergencies (reaction to dangerous situations, prepares for protection)

functional components of parasympathetic nervous system

rest and digest functions; conserves energy and restores balance of visceral function

soma

cell body of neurons

dendrites

part of neurons that collect information from environment

axon

part of neuron that sends information from one soma to the next cell

sensory (afferent) neurons

sends information from PNS to CNS

motor (efferent) neurons

sends information from CNS to PNS

synapse

connection/space between two neurons

neurotransmitters

chemicals released by one neuron and picked up by the other

excitation

increased activity

inhibition

decreased activity

glial cells

cells that support neurons and facilitate communication

myelin sheath

type of glial cell that speeds conduction of nerve impulse

nodes of ranvier

space between myelin sheath

cerebral cortex (gray matter)

on outside of cerebrum; made of somas and glial cells

white matter

on inside of cerebrum; made up of myelin sheaths

two divisions of cerebrum

right and left hemispheres

gyri

mountains/hills on brain surface

fissures/sulci

valleys on brain surface

central longitudinal fissure

gap between hemispheres of cerebrum

central fissure

gap between frontal and parietal lobes

lateral fissure

gap between frontal and temporal lobes

role of frontal lobe

primary motor cortex and cognitive function

role of parietal lobe

primary sensory cortex

role of temporal lobe

language and speech

role of occipital lobe

primary visual cortex

role of insular lobe

autonomic functions and some emotion

brodmann areas

“map” of brain showing what part is responsible for what function

role of precentral gyrus

primary motor cortex

role of postcentral gyrus

primary sensory cortex

cortical homunculus

representation of motor/sensory cortex

three major layers of protection for the brain

bone, meninges, cerebrospinal fluid

dura mater

most superficial layer of meninges; thick, fibrous, dense tissue; most “tough mother”

arachnoid mater

second-most superficial layer of meninges; white and clear web-like structure with fluid

pia mater

deepest layer of meninges; thinnest layer; contours to all valleys of brain

protective function of cerebrospinal fluid

cushioning

nutritive function of cerebrospinal fluid

provides nutrients and removes waste

spinal tap

a way of sampling the cerebrospinal fluid

where is cerebrospinal fluid produced

ventricles (inside cerebrum)

fasciculi

connection fibers in the brain

association fibers

fasciculi within a hemisphere

commissural fibers

fasciculi that cross hemispheres

corpus callosum

biggest set of commissural fibers

projection fibers

fasciculi that connect the cerebral cortex to lower areas of the CNS

function of basal ganglia

background movement, initiation of movement

function of hippocampus

memory

function of thalamus

sensory information

functions of cerebellum

• communicates with sensory aspects of CNS for execution of motor movements

• maintains equilibrium + balance

• coordinates muscle action in:

  • stereotyped (automoatic) movements like speech

  • nonstereotyped (unique) movement like reaching for something

• does not initiate muscle movement, but helps coordinate it

function of brainstem

controls essential life functions (keeps blood flowing, respiration going, heart beating)

function of cerebrum

complex cognitive functions

function of spinal cord

reflexes, communication to cerebrum

trigeminal nerve (CN V)

somatosensory information (touch, pain) from the face and head; muscles for chewing

facial nerve (CN VII)

taste (anterior 2/3 of tongue); somatosensory information from ear; controls muscles used in facial expression

vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)

hearing; balance

glossopheryngeal nerve (CN IX)

taste (posterior 1/3 of tongue); somatosensory information from tongue, tonsil, pharynx; controls some muscles used in swallowing

vagus nerve (CN X)

sensory, motor, and automatic functions of viscera (glands, digestion, heart rate), swallowing and taste sensation

spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)

controls muscles used in head movement

hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

controls muscles of tongue

function of muscle spindles

sense muscle length; neurons fire when shape changes

function of golgi tendon organs

sense muscle tension

motor function of posterior parietal lobe

spatial orientation via visual cortex and proprioception

motor function of premotor area

action planning: integrates posterior parietal info to create motor plan

motor function of supplementary motor area

action initiation

motor system function of motor strip

execution of voluntary movement

characteristics of left hemisphere

speech and language; discrete, sequential, rapidly changing information

characteristics of right hemisphere

holistic information; spatial orientation, facial recognition, shapes, artistic abilities, intonation, prosody, tones, music

aphasia

damage to a region of the brain controlling aspects of speech and/or langage