Neurological Disequilibrium - Lecture Notes

30 vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from neuroanatomy and neurophysiology.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The part of the nervous system that connects the CNS to the limbs and organs.

Forebrain

Processes sensory information and helps with reasoning and problem-solving.

Midbrain

Regulates movement and processes auditory and visual information.

Hindbrain

Regulates autonomic functions and coordinates movement.

Frontal Lobe

Responsible for thinking, feelings, motion, and speech production.

Temporal Lobe

Involved in hearing and memory.

Parietal Lobe

Processes sensation and functions in speech comprehension.

Occipital Lobe

Primarily responsible for vision.

Cerebellum

Coordinates balance and motor control.

Astrocytes

Star-shaped glial cells involved in supporting neurons and maintaining the environment of the CNS.

Oligodendrocytes

Glial cells that maintain myelin sheaths in the CNS.

Microglia

The immune defense cells of the CNS.

Nodes of Ranvier

Gaps in the myelin sheath that facilitate rapid conduction of nerve impulses.

Upper Motor Neurons

Neurons that originate in the CNS and influence lower motor neurons.

Lower Motor Neurons

Neurons that directly innervate muscles and are located in the spinal cord.

Blood-Brain Barrier

A protective barrier that selectively prevents certain substances in the bloodstream from entering the brain.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

A clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord that provides cushioning and buoyancy.

Meninges

The protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. (dura, arachnoid, pia)

atrophy in the brain

presents in holes or gaps within brain tissue, leading to a decrease in brain volume and function.

circle of willis

A circular network of arteries at the base of the brain, providing collateral circulation between the anterior and posterior circulations.

olfactory

nerve responsible for the sense of smell.

optic

nerve responsible for vision, transmitting sensory information from the retina to the brain.

occulomotor

nerve responsible for controlling most of the eye's movements, as well as the pupil's reaction to light.

trochlear

nerve responsible for controlling the superior oblique muscle of the eye, facilitating movements such as downward and lateral gaze.

trigeminal

the largest cranial nerve, responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing.

abducens

nerve that controls the lateral rectus muscle of the eye, allowing for outward gaze.

facial

the cranial nerve responsible for controlling the muscles of facial expression and providing sensory information from the taste buds of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.

vestibular

related to balance and spatial orientation, it is part of the inner ear system and plays a critical role in maintaining equilibrium.

glossophargyeal

the cranial nerve responsible for providing sensory information from the back of the throat and taste from the posterior one-third of the tongue, as well as controlling a muscle involved in swallowing.

vagus

the cranial nerve that controls functions of the heart, lungs, and digestive tract, and provides sensory information from the throat, voice box, and organs.

accessory

the cranial nerve that innervates muscles of the neck and shoulders, including the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius.

hypoglossal

the cranial nerve responsible for controlling the muscles of the tongue, which are involved in speech and swallowing.