wingardium nerviousa system

cerebrum

cerebrum

Part of the brain in the upper part of the cranial cavity, providing higher mental functions.

Longitudinal fissure

A deep groove that marks the division between the left and right cerebral hemispheres of the brain.

gyri

Elevation of the brain's surface; convolution.

sulci

A shallow groove, such as that between gyri on the brain surface.

Cerebral cortex

Outer, gray-matter layer of the cerebellum.

Frontal lobe

Forms the anterior part of each cerebral hemisphere, and is the largest of the four major lobes of the brain.

Parietal lobe

Posterior to the frontal lobe and separated from it by the central sulcus.

Temporal lobe

Lies below the frontal and parietal lobes, separated from it by the lateral sulcus.

Occipital lobe

Forms the posterior part of each cerebral hemisphere and is separated from the cerebellum by tentorium cerebelli.

Corpus callosum

Mass of white matter in the brain composed of nerve fibers connecting the right and left cerebral hemispheres.

diencephalon

Part of the brain in the region of the third ventricle that includes the thalamus, hypothalamus, pineal gland, and other structures.

Brainstem

A bundle of nervous tissue that connects the cerebrum, diencephalon, and cerebellum to the spinal cord, including the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

cerebellum

Part of the brain that coordinates skeletal movement, located underneath the cerebrum.

meninges

The three layers of the membrane that cover the brain and the spinal cord.

Cerebrospinal fluid

Fluid in the ventricles of the brain, subarachnoid space of the meninges, and the central canal of the spinal cord.

Blood-brain barrier

Prevents unwanted substances (e.g., diseases) from accessing the brain.

endoneurium

Covers each nerve fiber within the fascicle. Intramuscular connective tissue made of several nerve fibers making up a primary fascicle

perineurium

The outer layer of each fascicle.

epineurium

The outer covering of the nerve.

fascicle

Small bundle of skeletal fibers, also called fasciculus.

Spinal nerves

Nerve that arises from the spinal cord and gives rise to peripheral nerves.

plexus

Nerve that arises from the spinal cord and gives rise to peripheral nerves, formed when most spinal nerves are combined.

Cranial nerves

Any of the nerves that arise from the brain or brainstem.

Autonomic nervous system

Motor portion of the peripheral nervous system that controls the viscera and operates without conscious effort.

Sympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic nervous system that arises from the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic nervous system that arises from the brain and sacral region of the spinal cord, also known as the parasympathetic division.

flight-or-fight

Triggered during the "immediate alarm stage of stress when the hypothalamus triggers sympathetic impulses to various organs. Epinephrine is also released to intensify sympathetic responses.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

An injury that involves damage to the brain tissue.

concussion

A syndrome that occurs when a person is hit in the head and is based on the neurological signs and symptoms.

Meningitis

Caused by a bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain or spinal cord, infecting the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Multiple sclerosis

When the body's immune system attacks its own tissues, the brain and nerves, by destroying the myelin that coats the nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord; the cause itself is unknown.

Alzheimer's disease

Caused by age-related changes in the brain, first damaging neurons that involve memories, including the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. Later on, it will affect areas in the cerebral cortex.

Parkinson's disease

Caused by the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain known as substantia nigra, which become unable to produce dopamine.

paralysis

Caused by damage to the nervous system, specifically the spinal cord or the back of the frontal lobe or from strokes.

stroke

Occurs when blood supply to a part of the brain is blocked, or when blood vessel bursts. Mainly caused by obesity, high blood pressure, and smoking