Veterinary Neuroanatomy Flashcards

Flashcards for review of veterinary neuroanatomy, covering the nervous system, its functions, and components.

Sensory Function

Sensory receptors monitor changes inside and outside the body, gathering information.

Integrative Function

Processes and interprets sensory input, making decisions about what should be done.

Motor Function

Nervous System sends information to effectors (muscles, glands, and internal organs).

Central Nervous System

Brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System

Spinal and cranial nerves

Brain and Spinal Cord Role

Interprets incoming sensory information and issues instructions based on past experience and current conditions.

Peripheral Nervous System Function

Carries impulses from the sensory receptors to the CNS and from the CNS to effectors.

Afferent Division

Conducts impulses toward the spinal cord and brain (sensory component).

Efferent Division

Conveys impulses away from the brain and spinal cord (motor component).

Peripheral Nervous System (Afferent and Efferent)

Subdivided into somatic and visceral systems.

Somatic System

Concerned with sensory and motor functions that determine the relationship of the organism to the outside world; includes detection of stimuli and behavioral actions.

Somatic System Control

Sometimes referred to as the voluntary system, allowing conscious awareness and voluntary control.

Visceral System

Concerned with sensory and motor functions related to the internal viscera (e.g., regulation of blood pressure, heart rate, glandular activity, digestive processes).

Autonomic Nervous System

Motor component of the visceral peripheral nervous system

Autonomic Nervous System Components

Sympathetic and Parasympathetic

Somatic Nervous System Function

Regulates voluntary movement of the body via skeletal muscles and sensory stimuli.

Autonomic Nervous System Function

Regulates involuntary movement of the body, such as respiratory rate, heart rate, and digestion.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain and Spinal Cord; integrative and control centers.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Cranial and spinal nerves; communication lines between the CNS and the rest of the body.

Sensory (Afferent) Division

Conducts impulses from receptors to the CNS.

Motor (Efferent) Division

Conducts impulses from the CNS to effectors (muscles and glands).

Sympathetic Division

Mobilizes body systems during activity (fight or flight).

Parasympathetic Division

Conserves energy and promotes housekeeping functions during rest.

Neurons (Nerve Cells)

Basic elements of the nervous system.

Dendrites

Thin branching extensions of the cell body that conduct nerve impulses toward the cell body.

Axon

A single branch (in most neurons) which conducts nerve impulses away from the cell body.

White Matter

Contains myelinated axons.

Central Canal

Contains cerebrospinal fluid.

Gray Matter

Contains cell bodies of motor and association neurons.

Dorsal Root

Contains axons of sensory neurons.

Dorsal Root Ganglion

Contains cell bodies of sensory neurons.

Ventral Root

Contains axons of motor neurons.

Nerves Types

Sensory (afferent), Motor (efferent) and Mixed (sensory + motor)

Spinal Nerves

Emerge from the spinal cord.

Cranial Nerves

Emerge from the brain.

Brain Regions

Cerebrum, Cerebellum, and Brainstem

Cerebrum Function

Conscious perception of sensory input and initiation of conscious movement.

Cerebellum Function

Coordination and fine tuning of movement.

Brainstem Function

Relay center/filters sensory input, which allows us to concentrate.

Corpus Callosum

Enabling communication between hemispheres

Cranial Nerves

Olfactory (I), Optic (II), Oculomotor (III), Trochlear (IV), Trigeminal (V), Abducens (VI), Facial (VII), Vestibulocochlear (VIII), Glossopharyngeal (IX), Vagus (X), Accessory (XI), Hypoglossal (XII)