Somatic Nervous System Vocabulary Review

This set of flashcards contains vocabulary and key terms related to the somatic nervous system, its components, and functions. Use these for quick review and reinforcement of concepts.

Somatic Nervous System

A division of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements and transmits sensory information to the central nervous system.

Reflex Arc

A neural pathway that controls the reflex action, including sensory input, synapse in the spinal cord, and motor output.

Sensory Neurons

Neurons that carry sensory information from receptor cells to the central nervous system.

Motor Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit impulses from the central nervous system to muscles to initiate movement.

Action Potential

A temporary change in the electrical charge of a neuron that triggers nerve impulses.

Nociceptors

Sensory receptors that detect pain and transmit pain signals to the central nervous system.

Thermoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to changes in temperature.

Proprioceptors

Sensory receptors that help the body monitor its position and movement.

Interoceptors

Sensory receptors that detect stimuli from internal organs.

Exteroceptors

Receptors that receive stimuli from the external environment.

Photoreceptors

Sensory cells in the retina that transduce light into neural signals.

Mechanoreceptors

Receptors that respond to mechanical pressure or distortion.

Chemoreceptors

Receptors that respond to chemical stimuli, such as taste and smell.

Corticobulbar Tract

A pathway that connects the motor cortex to the cranial nerve nuclei in the brain stem.

Corticospinal Tract

A major pathway that carries motor commands from the brain to the spinal cord.

Dorsal Root Ganglion

Cluster of sensory neuron cell bodies located just outside the spinal cord.

Medulla Oblongata

Part of the brainstem that impacts vital functions and motor control.

Thalamus

Part of the brain that acts as a relay station for sensory information before it reaches the cortex.

Gustatory System

The sensory system for the perception of taste.

Lateral Geniculate Nucleus

The part of the thalamus that relays visual information to the visual cortex.

Cochlea

The spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear that transduces sound vibrations into neural signals.

Vestibular System

The system responsible for balance and spatial orientation.

Withdraw Reflex

A reflex action that moves a body part away from a painful stimulus.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain that processes sensory information and executes motor functions.

Impaired Reflex

Reduced or absent reflex response, indicating potential neurological damage.

Visual Acuity

The sharpness or clarity of visual perception.

Homunculus

A visual representation of the body's sensory and motor cortex regions, illustrating the allocation of cortical space.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses between neurons.

Pacinian Corpuscle

A type of mechanoreceptor that responds to deep pressure and vibration.

Meissner's Corpuscle

A receptor sensitive to light touch and vibrations.

Golgi Tendon Organ

A proprioceptor located at the junction of muscles and tendons that senses muscle tension.

Reticular Formation

A network of neurons in the brainstem involved in regulating sleep, wakefulness, and levels of alertness.

Cerebellum

A brain region that coordinates muscle movements and balance.

Fovea

A small pit in the retina responsible for sharp central vision.

Rhythm Sensation

The perception of the rhythmic intensity of sound and how the perception of sound relates to other body sensations.

Anosmia

Loss of the sense of smell, often resulting from damage to olfactory neurons.

Bipolar Cells

Neurons in the retina that connect photoreceptors to ganglion cells in the visual pathway.

Ganglion Cells

Neurons located in the retina that receive visual information from photoreceptors and transmit it to the brain.

Oculomotor Nerve

Cranial nerve responsible for controlling eye movement.

Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR)

A reflex that stabilizes gaze during head movement by coordinating eye and head movements.

Papillae

Bumps on the tongue that contain taste buds.

Olfactory Epithelium

A specialized tissue in the nasal cavity that contains olfactory receptor neurons.