Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
138 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Meninges
|
Three membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, called the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.
|
|
Dura mater
|
The outermost of the three meninges of the brain and spinal cord.
|
|
Epidural space
|
A space between the spinal dura mater and the vertebral canal, containing areolar CT and a plexus of veins.
|
|
Arachnoid mater
|
The middle of the three meninges of the brain and spinal cord.
|
|
Pia mater
|
The innermost of the three meninges of the brain and spinal cord.
|
|
Subarachnoid space
|
A space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater that surrounds the brain and spinal cord and through which cerebrospinal fluid circulates.
|
|
Spinal tap
|
Procedure that is performed in order to withdraw CSF for diagnostic purposes. The needle is inserted into the subarachnoid space in the lower lumbar region, below the level at which the spinal cord ends.
|
|
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
|
A fluid produced by ependymal cells that cover choroid plexuses in the ventricles of the brain; the fluid circulates in the ventricles, the central canal, and the subarachnoid space around the brain and spinal cord.
|
|
Medulla oblongata
|
The most inferior part of the brain stem.
|
|
Conus medullaris
|
The tapered portion of the spinal cord inferior to the lumbar enlargement.
|
|
Cauda equina
|
A tail-like array of roots of spinal nerves at the inferior end of the spinal cord.
|
|
Cervical enlargement
|
Enlargement of the spinal cord that contains nerves that supply the upper limbs.
|
|
Lumbar enlargement
|
Enlargement of the spinal cord that contains nerves that supply the lower limbs.
|
|
Two grooves in the spinal cord:
|
Anterior median fissure
Posterior median sulcus |
|
Central canal
|
A microscopic tube running the length of the spinal cord in the gray commisure.
|
|
Gray commissure
|
A narrow strip of gray matter connecting the two lateral gray masses within the spinal cord.
|
|
Spinal nerves
|
31 pairs of nerves that originate on the spinal cord from the posterior and anterior roots.
|
|
Posterior (dorsal) root
|
The structure composed of sensory axons lying between a spinal nerve and the dorsolateral aspect of the spinal cord.
|
|
Posterior (dorsal) root ganglion
|
A group of cell bodies of sensory neurons and their supporting cells located along the posterior root of a spinal nerve.
|
|
Anterior (ventral) root
|
The structure composed of axons of motor (efferent) neurons that emerges from the anterior aspect of the spinal cord and extends laterally to join a posterior root, forming a spinal nerve.
|
|
Horn
|
An area of gray matter (anterior, lateral, or posterior) in the spinal cord.
|
|
Posterior gray horns
|
Contain cell bodies and axons of interneurons as well as axons of incoming sensory neurons.
|
|
Anterior gray horns
|
Contain cell bodies of somatic motor neurons that provide nerve impulses for contraction of skeletal muscles.
|
|
Lateral gray horns
|
Present only in the thoracic and upper lumbar segments of the spinal cord. Contain cell bodies of autonomic motor neurons that regulate the activity of cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands.
|
|
White commissure
|
Connects the white matter of the right and left sides of the spinal cord.
|
|
Tract
|
A bundle of nerve axons in the CNS.
|
|
Sesory (ascending) tracts
|
Consist of axons that conduct nerve impulses toward the brain.
|
|
Motor (descending) tracts
|
Tracts that consist of axons that carry nerve impulses down the spinal cord.
|
|
Mixed nerve
|
The spinal nerve is called this because the posterior root contains sensory axons and the anterior root contains motor axons.
|
|
Endoneurium
|
CT wrapping around individual nerve axons.
|
|
Fascicles
|
A small bundle of cluster, especially of nerve or muscle fibers.
|
|
Perineurium
|
CT wrapping around fascicles in a nerve.
|
|
Epineurium
|
The superficial CT covering around an entire nerve
|
|
Cervical plexus
|
The nerve supply to the head, neck, and upper part of the shoulders.
|
|
Brachial plexus
|
Constitutes the nerve supply for the upper extremities and a number of neck and shoulder muscles.
|
|
Lumbar plexus
|
Nerve supply to the anteriolateral abdominal wall, external genitals, and part of the lower extremities.
|
|
Femoral nerve
|
The largest nerve arising from the lumbar plexus.
|
|
Sacral plexus
|
Nerve supply to the buttocks, perineum, and part of the lower extremities.
|
|
Sciatic nerve
|
The largest nerve arising from the sacral plexus and the largest nerve in the body.
|
|
Intercostal nerves
|
A nerve supplying a muscle located between the ribs.
|
|
Dermatomes
|
Segments of the skin that are innervated by spinal nerves.
|
|
Pathway
|
The route that nerve impulses follow from a neuron in one part of the body to other neurons elsewhere in the body.
|
|
Reflex
|
Fast response to a stimulus in the internal or external environment that attempts to restore homeostasis.
|
|
Reflex arc
|
The most basic conduction pathway through the nervous system, connecting a receptor and an effector and consisting of a receptor, a sensory neuron, and integrating center in the CNS, a motor neuron, and an effector.
|
|
The functional components of a reflex arc
|
1. sensory receptor
2. sensory neuron 3. integrating center 4. motor neuron 5. effector |
|
Sensory receptor
|
Responds to a specific type of stimulus by generating one of more nerve impulses.
|
|
Sensory neuron
|
Neurons that carry information from cranial and spinal nerves into the brain and spinal cord or from a lower to a higher level in the spinal cord and brain.
|
|
Integrating center
|
A synapse between a sensory neuron and a motor neuron.
|
|
Motor neuron
|
Neuron that contains impulses from the brain toward the spinal cord or out of the brain and spinal cord into cranial or spinal nerves to effectors that may be either muscles or glands.
|
|
Effector
|
An organ of the body, either a muscle or a gland, that is innervated by somatic or autonomic motor neurons.
|
|
Brain
|
The part of the CNS contained within the cranial cavity.
|
|
Brain stem
|
The portion of the brain immediately superior to the spinal cord, made up of the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain.
|
|
Diencephalon
|
A part of the brain consisting of the thalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus.
|
|
Cerebrum
|
The two hemispheres of the forebrain, making up the largest part of the brain.
|
|
Cerebral cortex
|
The surface of the cerebral hemispheres, 2-4 mm thick, consisting of gray matter.
|
|
Cerebellum
|
The part of the brain lying posterior to the medulla oblongata and pons; governs balance and coordinates skilled movements.
|
|
Blood-brain barrier (BBB)
|
A barrier consisting of specialized brain capillaries, and astrocytes that prevents the passage of materials from the blood to the cerebrospinal fluid and brain.
|
|
Ventricle
|
A cavity in the brain filled with CSF
|
|
Choroid plexus
|
A network of capillaries located in the roof of each of the 4 ventricles of the brain; ependymal cells around them produce CSF.
|
|
Arachnoid villi
|
Berrylike tuft of the arachnoid mater that protrudes into the superior sagittal sinus and through which CSF is reabsorbed into the blood stream.
|
|
Falx cerebri
|
A fold of the dura mater extending deep into the longitudinal fissure between the two cerebral hemispheres.
|
|
Falx cerebelli
|
A small triangular process of the dura mater attached to the occipital bone in the posterior cranial fossa and projecting inward between the two cerebellar hemispheres.
|
|
Tentorium cerebelli
|
A transverse shelf of dura mater that forms a partition between the occipital lobe of the cerebral hemispheres and the cerebellum that covers the cerebellum.
|
|
Hydrocephalus
|
When CSF cannot circulate through the subarachnoid space or drain properly through the arachnoid villi due to some obstruction.
|
|
Hematoma
|
Blood tumor.
|
|
Epidural hematoma
|
Bleeding into the epidural space.
|
|
Subdural hematoma
|
Bleeding into the subdural space.
|
|
Subarachnoid hematoma
|
Bleeding into the subarachnoid space (where CSF flows).
|
|
Anesthesia
|
Loss of the ability to feel pain.
|
|
General anesthesia
|
A state of unconsciousness and insusceptibility to pain, produced by administration of anesthetic agents of intravenously, intramuscularly, rectally, orally, or by inhalation.
|
|
Intrathecal injection
|
An injection of medication into the subarachnoid space.
|
|
Epidural anesthesia
|
Produced by injection of the anesthetic into the epidural space.
|
|
Olfactory nerve
|
I - smell
|
|
Optic nerve
|
II - vision
|
|
Oculomotor nerve
|
III - moves the eyeball
|
|
Trochlear nerve
|
IV - moves the eyeball
|
|
Trigeminal nerve
|
V - sensory from facial skin and teeth; chewing.
|
|
Abducens nerve
|
VI - moves the eyeball
|
|
Facial nerve
|
VII - taste and sensory from facial skin; facial expressions, tears and spit
|
|
Acoustic
|
VIII - hearing and equilibrium
|
|
Glossopharyngeal
|
IX
|
|
Vagus nerve
|
X - monitors BP, O2 & CO2 levels; sensations of visceral organs of GI and thorax; swallowing, coughing, voice production, slows heart rate, secretion of digestive juices.
|
|
Spinal accessory
|
XI - moves the head and shoulders
|
|
Hypoglossal
|
XII - moves the tongue
|
|
Cardiovascular center
|
Groups of neurons of the respiratory center in the medulla oblongata that control the basic rhythm of respiration.
|
|
Pons
|
The part of the brain stem that forms a "bridge" between the medulla oblongata and the midbrain, anterior to the cerebellum.
|
|
Midbrain
|
The part of the brain between the pons and the diencephalon.
|
|
Cerebral peduncles
|
A pair of nerve axon bundles located on the anterior surface of the midbrain, conducting nerve impulses between the pons and the cerebral hemispheres.
|
|
Substantia nigra
|
Nuclei of the midbrain that are large and darkly pigmented. Loss is associated with Parkinson's disease.
|
|
Red nuclei
|
A cluster of cell bodies in the midbrain, occupying a rubroreticular and rubrospinal tracts.
|
|
Colliculus
|
A small elevation.
|
|
Reticular formation
|
A network of small groups of neuronal cell bodies scattered among bundles of axons (mixed gray and white matter) beginning in the medulla oblongata and extending superiorly through the central part of the brain stem.
|
|
Reticular activating system (RAS)
|
A portion of the reticular formation that has many ascending connections with the cerebral cortex; when this area of the brain stem is active, nerve impulses pass to the thalamus ans widespread areas of the cerebral cortex, resulting in generalized alertness or arousal from sleep.
|
|
Thalamus
|
A large, oval structure located bilaterally on either side of the third ventricle, consisting of two masses of gray matter organized into nuclei; main relay center for sensory impulses ascending to the cerebral cortex.
|
|
Hypothalamus
|
A portion of the diencephalon, lying beneath the thalamus and forming the floor and part of the wall of the third ventricle.
|
|
Functions of the hypothalamus
|
1. Control of the ANS
2. Control of pituitary gland and production of hormones 3. Regulation of emotional and behavioral patterns 4. Regulation of eating a drinking 5. Control of body temperature 6. Regulation of circadian rhythms and states of consciousness |
|
Pineal gland
|
A cone-shaped gland located in the root of the third ventricle that secretes melatonin.
|
|
Melatonin
|
A hormone secreted by the pineal gland that helps set the timing of the body's biological clock.
|
|
Cerebellum
|
The part of the brain lying posterior to the medulla oblongata and pons; governs balance and coordinates skilled movements.
|
|
Cerebellar cortex
|
The surface of the cerebellum, consisting of gray matter.
|
|
Cerebellar peduncles
|
A bundle of nerve axons connecting the cerebellum with the brain stem.
|
|
Cerebrum
|
The two hemispheres of the forebrain, making up the largest part of the brain.
|
|
Gyri
|
Folds of the cerebral cortex of the brain.
|
|
Fissure
|
A grove, fold, or slit that may be normal or abnormal.
|
|
Suclus
|
A groove or depression between parts, especially between the convolutions of the brain.
|
|
Longitudinal fissure
|
Separates the cerebrum into right and left hemispheres.
|
|
Corpus callosum
|
The great commissure of the brain between the cerebral hemispheres.
|
|
Four lobes of the cerebrum
|
Frontal
parietal temporal occipital |
|
Central sulcus
|
Separates the frontal and parietal lobes.
|
|
Precentral gyrus
|
Gyrus of cerebral cortex located immediately anterior to the central sulcus; contains the primary motor area.
|
|
Postcentral gyrus
|
Gyrus of cerebral cortex located immediately posterior to the central cortex; contains the primary somatosensory area.
|
|
Insula
|
A triangular area of the cerebral cortex that lies deep within the lateral cerebral fissure, under the parietal, frontal, and temporal lobes.
|
|
Basal ganglia
|
3 pairs of gray matter masses (globus pallidus, putamen, and caudate nucleus), with 1 ganglion of each pair located within each cerebral hemisphere.
|
|
Limbic system
|
A part of the forebrain concerned with various aspects of emotion and behavior.
|
|
Primary somatosensory area
|
Located in the postcentral gyrus; recieves nerve impulses for touch, proprioceptions, pain, itching, tickle, and temperature. This area allows you to pinpoint where sensations originate.
|
|
Primary visual area
|
Located in the occipital lobe; involved with visual perception.
|
|
Primary auditory area
|
Located in the temporal lobe; involved with auditory perception.
|
|
Primary gustatory area
|
Located at the base of the postcentral gyrus; invovled in gustatory (taste) perception.
|
|
Primary olfactory area
|
Located on the medial aspect of the temporal lobe; involved in olfactory (smell) perception.
|
|
Primary motor area
|
Located in the precentral gyrus; each region controls voluntary contractions of specific muscles on the opposite side of the body.
|
|
Broca's speech area
|
Located in the frontal lobe (and specifically in the left hemisphere in 97% of people.
|
|
Somatosensory association area
|
Integrates and interprets somatic sensations such as the exact shape and texture of an object.
|
|
Visual association area
|
Relates present and past visual experiences and is essential for recognizing and evaluating what is seen.
|
|
Auditory association area
|
Allows you to recognize a particular sound such as speech, music, or noise.
|
|
Wernicke's area
|
Located in the left temporal and parietal lobes; it interprets the meaning of speech by recognizing the spoken word.
|
|
Premotor area
|
Causes a specific group of muscles to contract in specific sequential movements (trained and skilled movements).
|
|
Frontal eye field area
|
Controls voluntary scanning of the eyes.
|
|
Somatic sensory pathway
|
Pathway that carries info from the somatic sensory receptor to the primary somatosensory area in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum.
|
|
Posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway
|
Sensory pathway that carries info related to proprioception, fine touch, two-point discrimination, pressure, and vibration.
|
|
Anterolateral (spinothalamic) pathway
|
Sensory pathway that conveys info related to pain, temperature, tickle, and itch.
|
|
Spinothalamic tract
|
Sensory (ascending) tract that conveys info up the spinal cord to the thalamus for sensations of pain, temp, itch, and tickle.
|
|
Somatic motor pathway
|
Pathway that carries info from the cerebral cortex, basal neclei, and cerebellum that stimulates contraction of skeletal muscles.
|
|
Upper motor neurons (UMN)
|
Refers to motor neurons within the brain and spinal cord (their axons make up the somatic motor pathways).
|
|
Lower motor neurons (LMN)
|
Motor neurons who somas are in the CNS and their axons extend from the CNS to skeletal muscles.
|
|
Left hemisphere
|
The hemisphere used for spoken and written language, numerical and scientific skills, use and understanding of language, and reasoning.
|
|
Right hemisphere
|
The hemisphere used for musical and artistic awareness, spacial and pattern perception, recognition of faces, emotional content of language, and mental images of senses.
|
|
Brain waves
|
Electrical signals that can be recorded from the skin of the head due to electrical activity of brain neurons.
|
|
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
|
A record of brain waves; useful for studying normal brain functions as well as disorders.
|