Nervous System Histology and Anatomy Vocabulary

A complete list of vocabulary flashcards covering histology, CNS anatomy, brain regions, ventricles, and PNS spinal nerve structures based on the lecture notes.

Soma

The cell body of a neuron, containing the nucleus.

Dendrites

Structures extending off the neuronal cell body that receive signals.

Axon

A long extension of the cell body that can be myelinated or unmyelinated.

Axon terminal

The end of an axon where myelination stops and synapses originate.

Gray matter

Nervous tissue located on the inside of a spinal cord cross-section.

White matter

Nervous tissue located on the outside of a spinal cord cross-section.

Schwann cells

Cells that myelinate axons by secreting the myelin substance.

Sulci

Grooves on the surface of the brain that increase its surface area.

Gyri

Ridges on the surface of the brain that increase its surface area.

Fissures

Grooves deeper than sulci that separate the brain into lobes and hemispheres.

Precentral Gyrus

The gyrus located right before the central sulcus.

Postcentral gyrus

The gyrus located right after the central sulcus.

Central Sulcus

The groove that divides the parietal and frontal lobes.

Lateral Sulcus

The groove that divides the parietal/frontal lobes from the temporal lobe.

Parieto-occipital sulcus

The groove that divides the occipital lobe from the parietal and temporal lobes.

Dura mater

The thick, visible outer meningeal layer that dips into the longitudinal fissure.

Arachnoid mater

The webby middle layer of the meninges.

Pia mater

The very thin inner meningeal layer sitting directly on the surface of the brain and dipping into every sulcus.

Lateral ventricle

Ventricle containing anterior and posterior horns, sitting directly anterior to the corpus callosum, which produces and holds CSF.

Choroid plexus

Structure within the ventricles that makes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Third ventricle

Ventricle that sits directly beside the thalamus and holds CSF.

Fourth ventricle

Ventricle connected to the third ventricle via the cerebral aqueduct; allows CSF to exit through the subarachnoid space and central canal.

Cerebral Cortex

Outer layer of the cerebrum responsible for information processing.

Cerebral (basal) nuclei

Structures involved in the transmission of signals.

Fornix

White matter structure that connects the hippocampus to the hypothalamus.

Frontal lobe

Brain lobe responsible for memory.

Parietal lobe

Brain lobe responsible for language.

Temporal lobe

Brain lobe responsible for hearing.

Occipital lobe

Brain lobe responsible for sight.

Insula

Brain lobe involved in self-awareness, only visible via dissection.

Thalamus

Brain region that routes and processes sensory input (excluding sight).

Pineal gland

Gland in the diencephalon involved in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.

Hypothalamus

Structure in the diencephalon that maintains homeostasis.

Mammillary bodies

Structures that relay memory-related signals.

Pituitary gland

The master gland that secretes hormones to regulate other glands.

Infundibulum

Structure that connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland.

Midbrain

Brain stem region that coordinates sensory and motor information.

Cerebral peduncles

Structures in the midbrain that carry motor signals from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord.

Corpora quadrigemina

Structures in the midbrain responsible for visual reflexes.

Pons

Brain stem region that relays signals between the cerebrum and cerebellum.

Medulla oblongata

Brain stem structure responsible for regulating heart rate.

Cerebellum

Brain region responsible for balance and coordination.

Arbor vitae

Tracts that carry signals to the cerebellum.

Cerebral aqueduct

Channel connecting the third and fourth ventricles that holds CSF.

Receptor neuron

Neuron that detects a stimulus.

Sensory (afferent) neuron

Neuron that carries signals from a receptor to the spinal cord.

Motor (efferent) neuron

Neuron that carries response signals away from the spinal cord.

Effector

A gland or muscle that carries out a motor response.

Dorsal horn

Spinal cord structure that transmits afferent (sensory) information.

Ventral horn

Spinal cord structure that transmits efferent (motor) information.

Dorsal root ganglion

Structure that transmits afferent (sensory) information.

Ventral root

Structure that transmits efferent (motor) information.

Dorsal root

Structure that transmits afferent (sensory) information.

Anterior ramus

Spinal nerve structure that transmits both afferent and efferent information.