Chap 13-17 basic summary

A&P Test #3 Quick Study Guide

Chapters 13–17 (High-Yield Only)

CHAPTER 13 — SPINAL CORD & REFLEXES

Spinal Cord Basics

Dorsal Root

  • sensory (afferent)

  • brings info INTO CNS

Ventral Root

  • motor (efferent)

  • sends info OUT to body

Think:

SAME
Sensory = Afferent
Motor = Efferent

Reflex Arc Order

Memorize this EXACTLY:

Stimulus → sensory neuron → interneuron (integration center) → motor neuron → effector

Effector

  • muscle or gland responding

Ascending vs Descending Tracts

Ascending

  • sensory info going TO brain

Descending

  • motor commands FROM brain

CHAPTER 14 — BRAIN & CRANIAL NERVES

Major Brain Structures

Structure

Function

Cerebrum

conscious thought, memory, voluntary movement

Cerebellum

balance, coordination

Medulla oblongata

heart rate, breathing, blood pressure

Thalamus

sensory relay station

Hypothalamus

temperature, hunger, thirst, hormones, homeostasis

Corpus callosum

connects cerebral hemispheres

Lobes of Cerebrum

Lobe

Function

Frontal

motor, reasoning, speech

Parietal

touch/sensory

Temporal

hearing, memory

Occipital

vision

CSF

Cerebrospinal Fluid

  • cushions brain/spinal cord

  • circulates nutrients/waste

Meninges

Outer → inner:

  1. dura mater

  2. arachnoid mater

  3. pia mater

CHAPTER 15 — SENSORY

Receptors

Receptor

Detects

Mechanoreceptors

touch/pressure

Thermoreceptors

temperature

Photoreceptors

light

Chemoreceptors

chemicals

Nociceptors

pain

Sensory Adaptation

  • decreased response to constant stimulus

Example:
not feeling clothes after a while

General vs Special Senses

General

  • touch

  • pain

  • pressure

  • temp

Special

  • vision

  • hearing

  • smell

  • taste

  • equilibrium

CHAPTER 16 — AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (VERY IMPORTANT)

Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic

Sympathetic

Parasympathetic

fight or flight

rest and digest

increases HR

decreases HR

pupils dilate

pupils constrict

inhibits digestion

stimulates digestion

thoracolumbar

craniosacral

norepinephrine

acetylcholine

Neurotransmitters

Acetylcholine (ACh)

  • parasympathetic

Norepinephrine

  • sympathetic

CHAPTER 17 — SPECIAL SENSES

Eye Anatomy

Structure

Function

Cornea

bends light

Lens

focuses light

Retina

contains photoreceptors

Iris

controls pupil size

Pupil

opening for light

Rods

night/peripheral vision

Cones

color/detail vision

Optic nerve

carries visual info

Ear Anatomy

Structure

Function

Cochlea

hearing

Semicircular canals

balance

Ossicles

amplify sound

Auditory tube

pressure equalization

Ossicles:

  • malleus

  • incus

  • stapes