Nervous System II: Divisions of the Nervous System

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the nervous system, including definitions and functions.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord, overseeing all body functions.

Meninges

Three protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Fluid that fills the ventricles and subarachnoid space, providing cushioning and chemical protection to the brain.

Brainstem

Connects the brain to the spinal cord and contains important regions like the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

Limbic System

Part of the brain involved in emotional responses and memory.

Spinal Cord

Nerve column extending from the brain into the vertebral canal, facilitating communication between the brain and peripheral nervous system.

Reflex Arc

A neural pathway that controls a reflex action, consisting of a sensory receptor, sensory neuron, integration center, motor neuron, and effector.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Nervous system division that includes all neural structures outside the CNS, such as cranial and spinal nerves.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Regulates involuntary actions and is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

Sympathetic Division

Part of the ANS that triggers the 'fight or flight' response.

Parasympathetic Division

Part of the ANS that promotes 'rest and digest' activities.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another.

Cranial Nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves that arise from the brain and are involved in sensory and motor functions.

Hemispheric Dominance

The concept that one hemisphere of the brain is more involved in certain cognitive processes, such as language.

Diencephalon

Part of the brain that includes the thalamus and hypothalamus, instrumental in sensory relay and homeostasis.

Gray Matter

Regions of the brain and spinal cord primarily composed of neuronal cell bodies.

White Matter

Consists of myelinated axons in the CNS, facilitating communication between different brain areas.

Reflex Behavior

Involuntary responses characterized by a reflex arc that does not involve the brain.

Neuron

A nerve cell that transmits sensory, motor, and cognitive information.