The Nervous System

Flashcards for key vocabulary related to the nervous system.

Nervous System

Responsible for receiving information, processing the information, and generating a response.

Sensory Input

Receiving information about changes in the environment from sensory neurons.

Integration

Interpreting information in the brain or spinal cord by interneurons.

Motor Output

Coordinating a response from muscles or glands by motor neurons.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord; takes in information, processes it, and coordinates a response.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Consists of sensory organs, effectors (muscles, glands), and nerves; relays signals to and from the CNS.

Neurons

Receive and transmit nerve impulses throughout the nervous system; main types are sensory, interneuron, and motor.

Glial Cells

Provide support for neurons; includes astrocytes, microglia, ependymal cells, oligodendrocytes, and Schwann cells.

Sensory Neurons

Transmit nerve impulses from sensory receptors towards the CNS; also called afferent neurons.

Interneurons

Found only in the CNS and act as a link between sensory neurons and motor neurons; also called association neurons.

Motor Neurons

Transmit nerve impulses away from the CNS to muscles and glands (effectors); also called efferent neurons.

Reflex

A rapid, automatic response that bypasses the brain.

Spinal Cord

Cord of nerve tissue that connects the PNS to the brain and processes some sensory information.

Meninges

Three layers (dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater) that cushion, protect, and nourish the nerve tissue of the spinal cord and brain.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Clear, watery fluid that cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord, supplies nutrients, and removes waste.

White Matter

Outer material of the spinal cord composed of myelinated sensory and motor nerves.

Gray Matter

Inner material of the spinal cord composed of unmyelinated interneurons.

Brain

Processing center of the nervous system responsible for consciousness, sensation, coordination, and memory.

Cerebrum

Largest part of the brain responsible for perception, reasoning, and memory.

Cerebellum

Part of the brain located below the cerebrum responsible for coordinating all motor activity.

Brain Stem

Connects spinal cord to brain and is responsible for involuntary body functions.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Transmits signals from sensory receptors to the CNS and from the CNS to effectors.

Cranial Nerves

12 pairs of nerves that originate from the brain and connect to locations in the head, neck, and body.

Spinal Nerves

31 pairs of nerves that communicate between the spinal cord and various parts of the body.

Sensory Division

Transmits sensory information to the CNS.

Motor Division

Transmits response signals from the CNS to effectors (muscles and glands).

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Carries signals from the CNS to organs and glands and is involved in involuntary responses.

Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

Carries signals from the CNS to skeletal muscles and is involved in voluntary responses and reflexes.

Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)

Controls the body's 'fight or flight' response.

Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS)

Controls the body's 'rest and digest' response.