Central Nervous System Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for the Central Nervous System lecture.

Brain

Control center for thoughts, memories, and behaviors.

Spinal Cord

Pathway for sensory and motor nerve impulses; controls reflexes.

Cerebrum

Left and right hemispheres of the brain.

Diencephalon

Includes the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Brain Stem

Includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

Cerebellum

Posterior segment of the brain.

Meninges

Three protective layers around the brain and spinal cord.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Fluid cushion for brain and spinal cord.

Dura Mater

Tough, outer layer of the meninges.

Arachnoid Mater

Web-like layer of the meninges.

Pia Mater

Inner layer of the meninges.

Dural Sinuses

Blood-filled spaces in the brain.

Subdural Space

Space between dura and arachnoid mater.

Epidural Space

Space in the spinal cord containing fat and connective tissue.

Subarachnoid Space

Space containing CSF around brain and spinal cord.

Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)

Protects CNS from harmful substances.

Brain Ventricles

CSF-filled cavities within the brain.

Choroid Plexuses

Capillary networks that form CSF.

Ependymal Cells

Form the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier.

Arachnoid Villi

Reabsorb CSF into blood.

Gyri

Folds of the cortex in the cerebrum.

Sulci

Shallow grooves between gyri in the cerebrum.

Fissures

Deepest grooves in the cerebrum.

Basal Nuclei

Gray matter clusters in the cerebrum.

Association tracts

Impulses between gyri of the same hemisphere.

Commissural tracts

Impulses between gyri of different hemispheres.

Projection tracts

Impulses between cerebrum and lower CNS.

Thalamus

Relays sensory impulses to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

Regulates homeostasis and controls the autonomic nervous system.

Pineal Gland

Secretes melatonin, promotes sleepiness

Cerebral Peduncles

Anterior tracts.

Corpora Quadrigemina

Visual and auditory reflexes.

Pons

Relays signals for voluntary movements to the cerebellum.

Medulla Oblongata

Continuation with spinal cord.

Reticular Formation

Region of brain stem and diencephalon.

Cerebellum

Coordinates skeletal muscle contractions; maintains balance.

Limbic System

Involved in emotion, memory, and olfaction.

Cervical Enlargement

Nerves to/from upper limbs.

Lumbar Enlargement

Nerves to/from lower limbs.

Conus Medullaris

Inferior portion to lumbar enlargement.

Filum Terminale

Anchors spinal cord to coccyx.

Cauda Equina

Spinal nerve roots in the vertebral canal.

Posterior root ganglion

Sensory neuron cell bodies.

Gray Matter

H-shaped, deep part of spinal cord.

White Matter

Cortex part of spinal cord.