Unit 6 Anatomy - Vocab

Afferent Nerves: Nerves that carry messages from the body to the brain or spinal cord (sensory nerves).

Autonomic Nervous System: Part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions like heartbeat, digestion, and breathing.

Central Nervous System (CNS): The brain and spinal cord, which process and send information in the body.

Efferent Nerves: Nerves that carry messages from the brain or spinal cord to the muscles or organs (motor nerves).

Interneurons: Nerves in the brain and spinal cord that connect sensory and motor nerves.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): All the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.

Myelin Sheath: A protective layer around nerve fibers that helps send messages faster.

Neurotransmitters: Chemicals that send signals between nerve cells.

Synapse: The small gap where signals pass from one nerve cell to another.

Action Potential: An electrical signal sent along a nerve cell.

Autonomic Reflexes: Involuntary reflexes that control things like blood pressure and digestion.

Reflexes: Automatic actions your body does in response to something, like pulling your hand away from something hot.

Sodium-potassium Pump: A process in cells that helps maintain the balance of sodium and potassium, essential for nerve signals.

Somatic Reflexes: Reflexes that involve voluntary muscles, like kicking when the doctor taps your knee.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF): A clear fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord.

Corpus Callosum: A bundle of nerves that connects the two sides of the brain.

Meninges: The protective layers covering the brain and spinal cord.

Ganglion: A group of nerve cells outside the brain and spinal cord.

Plexuses: Networks of nerves in the body.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD): A brain disease that causes memory loss and thinking problems.

Cerebral Palsy (CP): A condition that affects movement and muscle coordination due to brain damage.

Epilepsy: A condition that causes repeated seizures (sudden bursts of brain activity).

Meningitis: Swelling of the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord, usually caused by infection.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A disease where the immune system damages the myelin sheath, affecting nerve signals.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Damage to the brain caused by a blow or injury to the head.