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Ascending Tracts

Carry sensory information from the body up to the brain.

Descending Tracts

Carry motor instructions from the brain down to the body.

Conus Medullaris

The tapered, inferior-most part of the spinal cord, essentially the "cone" at the end

Cauda Equina

A collection of spinal nerve roots located at the lower end of the spinal cord, resembling a horse's tail.

Filum Terminale

A thin, fibrous thread that extends from the end of the spinal cord (conus medullaris) down to the coccyx

Dorsal Root

Carries sensory information into the spinal cord.

Ventral Root

Carries motor information away from the spinal cord

Dorsal Root Ganglia

Clusters of nerve cell bodies located on the back (dorsal) side of the spinal cord, where sensory nerves enter

CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid)

Produced by the choroid plexus within the ventricles of the brain

Dura Mater

Outermost layer of meninges

Arachnoid Mater

Middle layer of meninges

Pia Mater

Innermost layer of meninges

Epidural Space

Space between skull and spinal column

Subdural Space

Space between the dura mater and arachnoid mater

Subarachnoid Space

The space located between the arachnoid mater and pia mater

Spinal Nerve

Formed by the joining of dorsal roots and ventral roots

Reflex Arc

The neural pathway that controls a rapid, involuntary response to a stimulus, bypassing the brain for faster reaction times

Endoneurium, Perineurium, and Epineurium

Three layers of connective tissue that surround and protect the nerve fibers and their bundles

Dermatome

Specific areas of skin supplied by sensory neurons from a single spinal nerve.

Nerve Plexuses

Networks where nerves intertwine and redistribute fibers.

Phrenic Nerve

A vital nerve that originates from the C3-C5 spinal nerves and controls the diaphragm, a primary muscle for breathing.

Sciatic Nerve

The largest nerve in the human body, extending from the lower back, through the hips and buttocks, and down both legs

Cerebrum

Largest part of the brain.

Thalamus

A central brain structure that acts as a relay station for sensory and motor signals, directing this information to the cerebral cortex.

Hypothalamus

Acts as your body's smart control coordinating center; main function is to keep your body in a stable state called homeostasis.

Cerebral Cortex

The outermost layer of gray matter that covers the brain, responsible for higher-level cognitive functions like awareness, thought, and memory

Broca’s Area

Region in the left hemisphere of the brain, specifically in the frontal lobe, that plays a crucial role in speech production and language comprehension

Wernicke’s Area

Region in the left hemisphere of the brain, specifically in the frontal lobe, that plays a crucial role in speech production and language comprehension

Primary Motor Cortex

A brain region primarily responsible for executing voluntary movements.

Primary Somatosensory Cortex

Receives and processes sensory information.

Primary Visual Area

The first region of the occipital lobe in the brain to receive visual information from the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in the thalamus.

Taste Area

insula and frontal operculum

White Matter

Brain tissue composed of nerve fibers (axons) covered in a fatty substance called myelin.

Gray Matter

The part of the brain and spinal cord that contains neuronal cell bodies, axon terminals, and dendrites, as well as all nerve synapses

Nuclei

Discrete groups of neuronal cell bodies, or the main part of a neuron, that make up the gray matter within the central nervous system (CNS)

Ganglia

Groups of nerves or brain cells that are closely related

Plexus

A network or meshwork of intersecting nerves, blood vessels, or lymphatic vessels.

Medulla Oblongata

Connects the higher levels of the brain to the spinal cord

Pons

The part of the brainstem that links the medulla oblongata and the thalamus.

Midbrain

Relaying sensory and motor information between the forebrain and hindbrain

Hearing

Auditory cortex

Sulcus

Furrow on the surface of the brain

Gyrus

Ridge or fold on the brain

Cerebral Aqueduct

A fluid-filled canal that runs through the midbrain connecting the third and fourth ventricles.

Third, Fourth, Lateral Ventricle

Part of the brain's ventricular system, which is a network of interconnected, fluid-filled cavities responsible for producing and circulating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Blood Brain Barrier

A highly selective, semipermeable membrane that protects the brain from harmful substances in the bloodstream

Blood Circulation of Brain

The process of delivering oxygen and nutrients to the brain while removing carbon dioxide and other waste product

Venous Drainage

A superficial system draining the cortex and a deep system draining deeper structures

Circadian Rhythm

Your body's natural, internal clock that regulates roughly 24-hour cycles of physical, mental, and behavioral changes.

Pineal Gland

Production of N-acetylserotonin and melatonin.

Pituitary Gland

To produce and release hormones that regulate various bodily functions, including growth, metabolism, reproduction, and stress response

Falx Cerebri

A sickle-shaped fold of the dura mater that separates the two cerebral hemispheres within the cranium.

Tentorium Cerebelli

A dural fold that separates the cerebral hemispheres from the cerebellum and brainstem

Insula

A lobe of the cerebral cortex located deep within the lateral sulcus, between the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes

Limbic System

emotion, memory, and arousal

Emotional Brain

A network of brain structures that plays a crucial role in processing and generating emotions, as well as influencing behavior and memory

Sensory and Motor Homunculus

Topographic maps of the body in the brain, located in the precentral gyrus (motor) and postcentral gyrus (sensory) of the brain

Electroencephalogram

A medical test that measures the electrical activity of the brain

Brain Waves

Rhythmic electrical patterns generated by the brain's neural activity, reflecting different states of consciousness and cognitive function

Hydrocephalous

An obstruction or problem with the normal flow and absorption of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Longitudinal Fissure

A deep groove in the brain that separates the two cerebral hemispheres, the left and right halves

Lateral Fissure

A prominent groove in the brain that separates the frontal and parietal lobes above from the temporal lobe below

Nerve Supply of Tongue

Motor, sensory, and special sensory (taste) innervation

Nerve Supply of Muscles of Mastication

Primarily innervated by the mandibular branch (V3) of the trigeminal nerve (CN V).

Nerve Supply of Muscles of Facial Expression

The facial nerve, also known as cranial nerve VII

Bell’s Palsy

A condition that causes sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face due to damage or inflammation of the seventh cranial nerve, also known as the facial nerve

Sympathetic Origin

Originates in the spinal cord, specifically in the thoracolumbar region, between the first thoracic vertebra (T1) and the second or third lumbar vertebra (L2-L3).

Name of the Ganglia

prevertebral ganglia (like the celiac ganglion, superior mesenteric ganglion, and inferior mesenteric ganglion) that innervate abdominal and pelvic organs, as well as paravertebral ganglia (sympathetic chain) and parasympathetic ganglia like the ciliary, pterygopalatine, submandibular, and otic ganglia in the head and neck, and ganglia within the thorax.

Parasympathetic Origin

Originates in the craniosacral region, meaning it stems from the brainstem and the sacral portion of the spinal cord

Preganglionic Fibers

Nerve fibers that originate from the central nervous system (CNS) and extend to autonomic ganglia

Postganglionic Fibers

Fibers that extend from the autonomic ganglia to the target organs or tissues

Sympathetic Nervous System Actions

Prepares the body for the "fight or flight" response, activating processes like increased heart rate and blood pressure

Parasympathetic Nervous System Actions

Promotes "rest and digest" functions, slowing heart rate and stimulating digestion.

SLUDD Actions of Parasympathetic Nervous System

Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination, Digestion, and Defecation.

Adrenergic and Cholinergic Neurons

Adrenergic systems utilize norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI), while cholinergic systems use acetylcholine (ACh).

Neurotransmitters of Autonomic Nervous System

Acetylcholine and norepinephrine.

Cholinergic Receptors

Protein molecules that respond to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, playing a crucial role in the nervous system.