Peripheral Nervous System and Muscle Physiology

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms related to the peripheral nervous system and muscle physiology, preparing students for their exam.

Brachial plexus

Network of nerves supplying the upper limb, consisting of roots, trunks, divisions, cords, and terminal branches.

Reflex arc

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

Neuromuscular junction

The synapse between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber, where transmission of a nerve impulse occurs.

Mechanoreceptor

Sensory receptor that responds to mechanical pressure or distortion.

Photoreceptor

A type of sensory receptor that responds to light; crucial for vision.

Interoceptors

Sensory receptors that receive stimuli from within the body, such as blood pressure and internal organ conditions.

Somatic reflexes

Reflex actions controlled by the somatic nervous system that involve voluntary muscles.

Sliding filament model

Theory explaining muscle contraction, suggesting that thin (actin) and thick (myosin) filaments slide over each other.

Motor unit

A single motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates.

Isometric contraction

Muscle contraction without change in muscle length, maintaining tension.

Fused/complete tetanus

Muscle contraction that occurs when stimuli are applied at such a high frequency that individual twitches cannot be distinguished.

Creatine phosphate

An energy storage molecule in muscle cells, providing a rapid source of energy for ATP regeneration.

Threshold stimulus

The minimum level of stimulus needed to trigger an action potential in a neuron.

Sacrolemma

The plasma membrane surrounding a muscle fiber.

Myogram

A record of muscle contractions used to measure muscle response and strength.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter released at the neuromuscular junction that stimulates muscle contraction.