Nervous System and Sensory Organs Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the central and peripheral nervous systems, the autonomic nervous system, and the five senses based on lecture notes.

blood brain barrier

Shields the brain from toxic substances and regulates nutrients reaching the brain.

Insula lobe

A deep lobe of the cerebrum not visible from the surface; responsible for interpreting taste sensations.

Parietal lobe

A lobe of the cerebrum responsible for interpreting temperature, touch, pressure, and vibration.

Temporal lobe

A lobe of the cerebrum responsible for interpreting auditory sensations and olfactory perception.

Occipital lobe

A lobe of the cerebrum responsible for interpreting visual sensations.

Frontal lobe

A lobe of the cerebrum responsible for motor functions.

arbor vitae

The white matter of the cerebellum.

cerebrospinal fluid

A fluid that provides protection, waste removal, and nourishment to the brain.

Dura mater

The outer layer of the meninges.

Arachnoid mater

The middle layer of the meninges.

Pia mater

The inner layer of the meninges.

cerebral cortex

The part of the brain associated with higher functions including memory, thinking, learning, reasoning, and problem-solving.

Sacral plexus

Originates from $L4-S4$ and serves the pelvis, perineum, and lower limbs.

Cervical plexus

Originates from $C1-C4$ and serves the head and neck.

Brachial plexus

Originates from $C5-T1$ and serves the upper limbs.

Lumbar plexus

Originates from $T12-L5$ and serves the abdomen and lower limbs.

epineurium

The connective tissue layer that surrounds the entire nerve.

perineurium

The connective tissue layer that divides the nerve into fascicles.

endoneurium

The connective tissue layer that surrounds each axon.

unipolar neuron

The type of neuron associated with the dorsal root ganglion.

Dorsal root

The part of the spinal nerve associated with sensory function.

Ventral root

The part of the spinal nerve associated with motor function.

autonomic motor

The division of the nervous system that transmits motor information to smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, exocrine glands, and endocrine glands.

radial nerve

The nerve that innervates the muscles of the posterior arm and forearm compartments.

peripheral nervous system

The division responsible for conducting sensory information to the spinal cord and brain, and motor information from the brain and spinal cord.

central nervous system

The division responsible for receiving, processing, and responding to sensory information.

phrenic nerves

The nerves that innervate the diaphragm.

diencephalon

A brain region composed of the thalamus, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and pineal gland.

Hypoglossal nerves

Cranial nerves responsible for motor functions regarding tongue movement.

Trochlear nerves

Cranial nerves providing motor control for moving the eye down and away from the midline.

Olfactory nerves

Cranial nerves responsible for the special sense of smell.

Vestibulocochlear nerves

Cranial nerves responsible for sensory input regarding hearing and balance.

Oculomotor nerves

Cranial nerves responsible for motor movement of the eyes up and down; also carry parasympathetic components.

Thalamus

Acts as a relay for both sensory impulses going to the cerebrum and motor impulses going to the brainstem or spinal cord.

Hypothalamus

Regulates homeostasis, connects the nervous system to the endocrine system through hormones, and provides autonomic control over temperature, hunger, and thirst.

gyrus

A ridge formed by convolutions on the surface of the cerebrum or cerebellum.

sulcus

A groove formed by convolutions on the surface of the cerebrum or cerebellum.

fissure

A deep groove involving the entire thickness of the brain wall.

Lumbar enlargement

The origin of spinal nerves going to the lower limbs.

Cauda equina

A horsetail-like structure formed by lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal nerves.

Cervical enlargement

The origin of spinal nerves going to the upper limbs.

Filum terminale

A cord of pia mater anchoring the distal end of the spinal cord to the coccyx.

Conus medullaris

The tapered end of the spinal cord located between $L1$ and $L2$ vertebrae.

dural sinuses

Structures containing venous blood that ultimately drain into the internal jugular veins.

somatic sensory

The division of the nervous system that transmits sensory information from the skin, muscles, bones, and joints.

afferent neuron

A neuron that transmits sensory impulses to be processed.

efferent neuron

A neuron that transmits motor impulses to effectors.

interneuron

A neuron responsible for integration within the Central Nervous System (CNS).

femoral nerve

The nerve that innervates the muscles of the anterior thigh compartment.

gray matter

Areas of the CNS composed of neuron cell bodies and dendrites.

white matter

Areas of the CNS composed of myelinated axons.

neural tunic

The eye tunic composed of the retina and pigmented epithelium.

fibrous tunic

The eye tunic composed of the sclera and cornea.

vascular tunic

The eye tunic composed of the choroid, ciliary body, and iris.

general senses

Distributed throughout the body; include touch, pressure, vibration, movement, pain, and temperature.

special senses

Confined to specific organs in the head; include vision, hearing, balance, smell, and taste.

transduction

Converting a stimulus into an electrochemical signal.

adaptation

Reduced sensitivity to stimuli.

Organ of Corti

The sensory structure located in the cochlear duct.

glaucoma

An eye condition associated with increased intraocular pressure.

chemoreceptor

A receptor stimulated by chemical changes in fluid; associated with olfaction and gustation.

mechanoreceptor

A receptor stimulated by pressure, vibration, sound, and body position; associated with balance.

photoreceptor

A sensory receptor stimulated by light.

thermoreceptor

A sensory receptor stimulated by temperature.

nociceptor

A sensory receptor stimulated by tissue damage or pain.

baroreceptor

A sensory receptor stimulated by pressure associated with blood pressure and stretch.

bipolar neuron

The type of neuron associated with the olfactory epithelium.

Eustachian tube

An ear structure that functions for pressure equalization between the outer and middle ear.

sympathetic division

The division of the nervous system in control of 'fright, fight, or flight' responses; features long postganglionic and short preganglionic neurons.

parasympathetic division

The division of the nervous system in control of 'rest and digest' responses; originates from the brain stem and sacral regions.

cholinergic

A type of synapse or fiber that releases acetylcholine.

adrenal medulla

An organ served by a preganglionic axon that goes directly to it rather than stopping at a ganglion.