nervous system anatomy

what is the main role of the nervous system

control and coordinate body systems using electrical and chemical signals

what are the three main functions of the nervous system

sensory input, processing and motor output

what is the link between the nervous and endocrine system

together they maintain homeostasis

what are some key high brain functions

memory, emotional, reasoning, behaviour and consciousness

what are the two main nervous system cell types

neurons and glial cells

what is the function of a neuron

transmit information via electrical impulses

what is a symapse

junction where neurons communicate using neurotransmitters

what is the role of a glial cell

support, protect and maintain neurons

what is the role of a microglia

acts as a immune macrophage in CNS

label the parts of the neuron

function of cell body

contains nucleus and organelles

function of dendrites

receive signals from other neurons

function of axon

long projection which carries electrical signal (i.e. action potential)

myelin function

fatty insulation layer which speeds up nerve transmission via saltatory conduction

function of nodes of ranvier

gaps in myelin that allow signal to jump to speed up conduction

function of axon terminals

connect to the next neuron or effector organ

what are the three types of neurons

sensory, relay and motor

what is the role of the sensory neuron

carry information to the CNS

what is the role of the relay neuron

connect sensory neuron to motor neuron

what is the function of the motor neuron

receives information from the CNS to the muscle/gland

what are the two main divisions of the nervous system

CNS and PNS

what does the CNS consist of

brain and spinal cord

what does the PNS consist of

Autonomic NS and Somatic NS

what is the meninges

protective layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord

what are the three meninge layers

dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater

what is the dura mater

tough outer layer

what does the subarachnoid space contain

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

what is the function of the cerebrum

higher thinking, memory, voluntary movement and sensations

what does the brains hemispheres control

each control opposite sides of the body

what are the four brain lobes

frontal, occipital, parietal and temporal

what is the function of the occipital lobe

vision

what are the two key areas of language and speech

wernicke’s and broca’s

what is wernickes area responsible for

language comprehension

what is broca’s area responsible for

speech production

what is the function of the hippocampus

memory formation

what is the function of the amygdala

emotion and fear responses

what is the Diencephalon

posterior part of the forebrain

role of the diencephalon

relays sensory and motor signals to the cortex and helps maintain homeostasis

function of corpus callosum

connects left and right hemisphere

what is the function of the thalamus

sensory relay centre to cortex

what is the function of the hypothalamus

releases hormones, maintains temperature, hunger, sleep, behaviour control

what is the function of the pituitary gland

hormone releasing control centre

what is the function of the pineal gland

melatonin production, sleep regulation

what is the function of the cerebellum

balance, posture, coordination, fine movement control

what is the impact of a damaged cerebellum

lead to unsteady movement and poor coordination which can significantly impact daily living

what does the brain stem connect

brain to spinal cord

what does the brain stem control

vital involuntary functions such as breathing, heart rate etc

what is the function of the midbrain

dopamine reward system, where dopamine is produced

what is the role of pons

connects cerebrum, cerebellum and spinal cord to create a larger relay station for nerve signals

what is the role of the medulla oblongata

heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate

what is the impact of a brain stem injury

can be life threatening

how many cranial nerves are there

12

how many layers are there to the spinal meninges

three layers

what are the three layers of the spinal meninge

dura, arachnoid and pia

what are the five difference areas of the spine

cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum and coccyx

what is the function of the spinal cord

connect the CNS to the PNS

what is a reflex arc

rapid, automatic response to protect the body

what do reflexes required

receptor, sensory neuron, integration centre, motor neuron and effector (muscle or gland)

what is the integration system also known as

where processing occurs

what are the two divisions of the PNS

sensory and motor

what does the motor division of the PNS include

somatic and autonomic systems

what does the somatic system do

controls voluntary skeletal muscle

what does the autonomic system do

controls the heart, smooth muscle and glands

what are the branches of the ANS

sympathetic and parasympathetic

what is the role of the sympathetic NS

fight or flight

what is the role of the parasympathetic NS

rest and digest