Chapter 13: The Peripheral Nervous System

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to the Peripheral Nervous System from the lecture notes.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

All neural structures outside the brain, including sensory receptors, peripheral nerves, and associated ganglia.

Sensory Receptors

Specialized structures that respond to changes in the environment, resulting in graded potentials that trigger nerve impulses.

Efferent

Refers to motor pathways that carry impulses away from the central nervous system to effectors.

Mechanoreceptors

Receptors that respond to touch, pressure, vibration, and stretch.

Thermoreceptors

Receptors that are sensitive to changes in temperature.

Photoreceptors

Receptors that respond to light energy, such as those found in the retina.

Chemoreceptors

Receptors that respond to chemicals, such as those involved in smell and taste.

Nociceptors

Receptors sensitive to pain-causing stimuli, including extreme heat or cold.

Exteroceptors

Receptors that respond to stimuli arising outside the body, located in the skin.

Proprioceptors

Receptors that respond to stretch in skeletal muscles, tendons, and joints, informing the brain of body position.

Reflex Arc

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

Stretch Reflex

A reflex that maintains muscle tone and contracts muscle in response to increased muscle length; monosynaptic and ipsilateral.

Tendon Reflex

A reflex that prevents damage due to excessive stretch by relaxing the muscle in response to tension.

Efferent impules

Impulses that are transmitted away from the CNS to effectors.

Mixed Nerves

Nerves that contain both sensory and motor fibers.

Somatic Reflexes

Reflexes that activate skeletal muscle.

Autonomic (Visceral) Reflexes

Reflexes that activate visceral effectors, such as smooth or cardiac muscle.