Autonomic Nervous System and Brain Structures (Video)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on the autonomic nervous system, neurons, neurotransmitters, brain structures, and related topics.

Autonomic nervous system

Involuntary part of the peripheral nervous system that regulates internal organs and glands; mostly unconscious and not under conscious control.

Sympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic system that gears the body up for action (fight/flight); increases heart rate, dilates bronchi, releases glucose, and can suppress digestion and immune function in the moment.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic system that calms the body after threat; promotes digestion and rest-and-repair processes.

Central nervous system (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord; the processing center of the nervous system.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

All nerves outside the CNS; connects the CNS to the rest of the body.

Somatic nervous system

Subdivision of the PNS responsible for voluntary sensory and motor functions.

Autonomic nervous system

(Repeated) Involuntary control of internal organs and glands; divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures that receive signals from other neurons.

Axon

Long fiber that transmits electrical signals away from the neuron's cell body.

Terminal buttons

Small swellings at the end of an axon that release neurotransmitters into the synapse.

Synapse / synaptic gap

The gap between neurons where neurotransmitters cross to relay signals to the next neuron.

Myelin

Fatty insulating sheath around axons that speeds electrical transmission and prevents short circuits.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers released by terminal buttons to transfer signals across the synapse.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, and movement; linked to various disorders when imbalanced.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation; target of SSRIs for depression and anxiety.

Oxytocin

Neurotransmitter/hormone associated with social bonding and trust.

Reuptake

Process of reabsorbing neurotransmitters back into the presynaptic neuron after signaling.

SSRI

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; medications that slow the reuptake of serotonin to elevate mood.

Prozac (fluoxetine)

A commonly prescribed SSRI used to treat depression and anxiety.

Excitatory neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters that increase the likelihood that the next neuron fires.

Inhibitory neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters that decrease the likelihood that the next neuron fires.

Glial cells

Support cells for neurons; provide structure, insulation, nourishment, and debris removal.

Neuron

Nerve cell that processes and transmits information through electrical and chemical signals.

Thalamus

Relays information between higher and lower brain regions; central hub for sensory input.

Hypothalamus

Regulates eating, drinking, body temperature, emotions, and stress responses; links nervous and endocrine systems.

Reticular formation

Network involved in arousal and maintaining wakefulness; helps regulate stereotyped patterns of behavior.

Medulla

Brainstem region that controls breathing, heart rate, and reflexes.

Cerebellum

Brain region important for motor coordination and balance.

Hippocampus

Structure involved in memory formation and retrieval; not the storage site itself.

Amygdala

Emotion center that assesses threat and fear and helps drive defensive responses.

Cerebral cortex

The outer layer of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions; divided into lobes.

Frontal lobe

Lobe involved in personality, reasoning, voluntary movement, and behavioral inhibition.

Temporal lobe

Lobe involved in hearing, language processing, and aspects of memory.

Occipital lobe

Lobe primarily responsible for visual processing.

Parietal lobe

Lobe involved in spatial location, attention, and motor control.

Corpus callosum

Bundle of neural fibers connecting the left and right hemispheres to allow communication.

Endocrine system

Glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream to regulate body functions.

Pituitary gland

Master gland that regulates growth and other endocrine glands.

Adrenal glands

Glands that release adrenaline and other hormones during stress (fight/flight).

Pancreas

Gland involved in digestion and blood sugar regulation via insulin.

Thyroid

Gland that regulates metabolism; dysfunction can cause fatigue and other systemic effects.

Calcium's role

Calcium is essential for muscle contraction (including heart) and overall muscle function.

Brain injury recovery factors

Recovery depends on age, extent of damage, and speed and quality of intervention.

Collateral sprouting

Nearby healthy neurons grow new branches to compensate for damaged neurons.

Substitution of function

Other brain areas take over lost functions after injury, not automatically but through practice.

Neurogenesis

Formation of new neurons; observed in areas like the hippocampus.

Brain imaging modalities

Imaging methods such as X-ray/CT, PET (activity), MRI (high detail), and fMRI (functional activity).