Central Nervous System (CNS) Overview

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the Central Nervous System, including its anatomy, functions, and protective structures.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.

Prosencephalon

The forebrain, which is the anterior end of the neural tube during embryonic development.

Mesencephalon

The midbrain, which is a primary brain vesicle in the embryonic development of the CNS.

Rhombencephalon

The hindbrain, which is the posterior end of the neural tube during embryonic development.

Meninges

The protective membranes covering the CNS that include the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

A clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, providing cushioning, nourishment, and waste removal.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A selective barrier that controls the passage of substances from the blood into the brain, protecting it from harmful substances.

Lateral ventricles

C-shaped structures located in the cerebral hemispheres that contain cerebrospinal fluid.

Dura mater

The strongest meninx, composed of two layers of fibrous connective tissue that protect the brain.

Arachnoid mater

The middle layer of the meninges with weblike extensions that separate it from the dura mater.

Pia mater

The delicate vascular layer of the meninges that tightly adheres to the surface of the brain.

Thalamus

A structure in the diencephalon that serves as the relay station for sensory information to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

A region of the brain that regulates autonomic functions, emotions, and controls the endocrine system.

Cerebellum

The part of the brain responsible for maintaining posture, balance, and coordinating voluntary movements.

Basal nuclei

Groups of nuclei in the brain that are involved in the control of movement.

Pyramidal tracts

The direct pathways for voluntary movement from the motor cortex to the spinal cord.

Spinal reflex centers

Areas in the spinal cord that mediate reflex actions without direct involvement of the brain.

Cerebral cortex

The outer layer of gray matter covering the cerebral hemispheres, associated with higher brain functions.