Nervous System

Nervous System

complex body system that regulates most body activities

neurons communicate via

release of neurotransmitter, receptors, and changes in electrical potential

two divisions of the nervous system

CNS and PNS

CNS

brain and spinal cord

PNS

cranial nerves, spinal nerves, motor, sensory, and autonomic

Autonomic nervous system divisions

sympathetic and parasympathetic

examples of sympathetic nervous system

• pupils dilated

• salivation inhibited

• increased respiration

• increased heart rate

examples of parasympathetic nervous system

• pupils constricted

• salivation stimulated

• decreased respiration

• decreased heart rate

neurons

individual nerve cell

neurons are made of

dendrite, cell nucleus, and axon

axon is covered by

myelin sheath

nerve terminal

secrete neurotransmitter

neurotransmitters transfer impulse

across synapse by binding to receptors

ganglia

small clusters of nerve cell bodies

glia cells

maintain the health of the nervous system and do not transmit impulses

five types of glia cells

astrocytes, microglia, oligodendroglia, ependymal cells, and schwann cells

parietal lobe

body sensations, visual and spatial perceptions

occipital lobe

vision

wernicke’s area

language comprehension

temporal lobe

hearing, understanding, speech, and language

broca’s area

language expression

frontal lobe

though processes, behavior, personality, and emotion

cerebrum

largest section of the brain

cerebral cortex

surface nerve cells

gyri

folds

sulci

grooves

the cerebrum manages

speech, vision, smell, movement, hearing, and thought

cerebellum

coordinates voluntary movement and maintains balance

thalamus

integrates and monitors impulses from skin

hypothalamus controls

body temperature, sleep, appetite, sexual desire, and emotions

hypothalamus regulates

release of hormones from the pituitary gland

the hypothalamus monitors

sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

brainstem includes

pons, midbrain, medulla oblongata

pons bridges

cerebrum and cerebellum with the rest of the brain

pons houses

nerves for the face and eyes

midbrain is the

uppermost portion of the brainstem

midbrain contains

pathways connecting the cerebrum with lower portions of brain

medulla oblongata connects

spinal cord to brain

medulla oblongata regulates

blood vessels, heart, and respiratory system

spinal cord

bundles of nerves carrying info to/from brain and periphery

spinal cord includes

cauda equina, gray matter, and white matter

spinal cord meninges

connective tissue layers surrounding brain and spinal cord

meninges

dura, arachnoid, and pia

acetylcholine

neurotransmitter chemical released at ends of nerve cells

afferent nerve

carries messages toward the brain and spinal cord

arachnoid membrane

middle layer of the three membranes that surround brain and spinal cord

astrocyte

glial cell in CNS providing metabolic support to neurons

autonomic nervous system

nerves that control involuntary body functions of muscles, glands, and internal organs

axon

microscopic fiber that carries the nervous impulse along a nerve cell

blood brain barrier

protective separation between the blood and brain cells that keep substances from penetrating capillary walls and entering the brain

brainstem

posterior portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord

cauda equina

collection of spinal nerves below the end of spinal cord

cell body

part of a nerve cell that contains the nucleus

cerebral cortex

outer region of the cerebrum; contains sheets of nerve cells and grey matter

cerebrospinal fluid

circulates throughout the brain and spinal cord

cranial nerves

12 pairs, carry messages to and from the brain with regard to the head neck and viscera

dendrite

branching fiber of a nerve cell the receives nervous impulse

dura mater

thick, outermost layer of meninges

erfferent nerve

carries messages away from the brain and spinal cord, motor nerve

ependymal cell

glial cell that lines the membranes within the brain and spinal cord; helps form cerebrospinal fluid

ganglion

collection of nerve cell bodies in peripheral nervous system

microglial cells

phagocytic glial cell that removes waste products from CNS

midbrain

uppermost portion of brainstem

motor nerve

carries messages away from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and organs; efferent nerve

myelin sheath

insulates axon and speeds impulse conduction

nerve

cord like collection of fibers that carry electrical impulses

neuron

nerve cell that carries impulses throughout body; parenchyma of nervous system

oligondendroglial cell

forms myelin sheath covering axons

parasympathetic nerves

involuntary, autonomic nerves that regulate normal body functions

parenchyma

essential, distinguishing tissue of any organ system

pia mater

thin delicate inner membrane of the meninges

plexus

large interlacing network of nerves

receptor

organ that receives a nervous stimulus and passes it on to afferent nerves

sciatic nerve

nerve extending from the base of the spine down the thigh to foot

sensory nerve

carries messages toward brain and spinal cord from receptor; afferent nerve

spinal nerves

thirty-one pairs

stimulus

agent of change in internal or external environment that evokes response

stroma

connective and supporting tissue of an organ

sympathetic nerves

autonomic nerves that influence bodily functions involuntary in times of stress

synapse

space through which an impulse travels between nerve cells or muscle

thalamus

main relay center of the brain; impulses between spinal cord and cerebrum

vagus nerve

tenth cranial nerve; branches reach to larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, aorta, esophagus, and stomach

ventricles of brain

canals in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid

cerbell/o

cerebellum

cerebr/o

cerebrum

dur/o

dura mater

encephal/o

brain

gli/o

glial cells

lept/o

thin,slender

mening/o

membranes

meningi/o

meninges

my/o

muscle

myel/o

spinal cord

neur/o

nerve

pont/o

pons

radicul/o

nerve root

thalam/o

thalamus

thec/o

sheath

vag/o

vagus nerve

alges/o or -algesia

sensitivity to pain