Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the Peripheral Nervous System, including its structure, functions, and components.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Part of the nervous system containing all nerves outside the central nervous system (CNS).

Sensory Division

The division of the PNS that carries information toward the CNS.

Motor Division

The division of the PNS that carries information away from the CNS.

Somatic Division

The motor division of the PNS that controls skeletal muscles and is under voluntary control.

Autonomic Division

The motor division of the PNS that controls cardiac and smooth muscles, usually under involuntary control.

Sympathetic Division

Part of the autonomic nervous system that controls the body's 'fight or flight' responses.

Parasympathetic Division

Part of the autonomic nervous system that controls 'rest and digest' responses.

Mixed Nerves

Nerves that contain both sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) fibers.

Schwann Cells

Cells that myelinate PNS neurons and aid in the regeneration of damaged axons.

Referred Pain

Pain perceived in a different part of the body from where it originates, often due to nerve pathway similarity.

Wallerian Degeneration

The process that occurs when an axon is injured and degenerates distal to the injury.

Dermatome

An area of skin innervated by sensory fibers of a single spinal nerve root.

Reflex Arc

The nerve pathway involved in a reflex action, typically including a sensory neuron, interneuron, and motor neuron.

Cranial Nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves that originate from the brain and supply the head and neck.

Phasic Receptors

Receptors that adapt and turn off after a period of stimulation.

Tonic Receptors

Receptors that continue to transmit signals as long as the stimulus is present.