Ch. 13: Anatomy Of The Nervous System

Front 1

Abducens Nerve

Back 1

Sixth cranial nerve; responsible for contraction of one of the extraocular muscles.

Front 2

Alar Plate

Back 2

Developmental region of the spinal cord that gives rise to the posterior horn of the gray matter.

Front 3

Amygdala

Back 3

Nucleus deep in the temporal lobe of the cerebrum that is related to memory and emotional behavior.

Front 4

Anterior Column

Back 4

White matter between the anterior horns of the spinal cord composed of many different groups of axons of both ascending and descending tracts.

Front 5

Anterior Horn

Back 5

Gray matter of the spinal cord containing multipolar motor neurons, sometimes referred to as the ventral horn.

Front 6

Anterior Median Fissure

Back 6

Deep midline feature of the anterior spinal cord, marking the separation between the right and left sides of the cord.

Front 7

Anterior Spinal Artery

Back 7

Blood vessel from the merged branches of the vertebral arteries that runs along the anterior surface of the spinal cord.

Front 8

Arachnoid Granulation

Back 8

Outpocket of the arachnoid membrane into the dural sinuses that allows for reabsorption of CSF into the blood.

Front 9

Arachnoid Mater

Back 9

Middle layer of the meninges named for the spider-web-like trabeculae that extend between it and the pia mater.

Front 10

Arachnoid Trabeculae

Back 10

Filaments between the arachnoid and pia mater within the subarachnoid space.

Front 11

Ascending Tract

Back 11

Central nervous system fibers carrying sensory information from the spinal cord or periphery to the brain.

Front 12

Axillary Nerve

Back 12

Systemic nerve of the arm that arises from the brachial plexus.

Front 13

Broca's Area

Back 13

Region of the frontal lobe associated with the motor commands necessary for speech production and located only in the cerebral hemisphere responsible for language production, which is the left side in approximately 95 percent of the population.

Front 14

Brodmann's Areas

Back 14

Mapping of regions of the cerebral cortex based on microscopic anatomy that relates specific areas to functional differences, as described by Brodmann in the early 1900s.

Front 15

Basal Forebrain

Back 15

Nuclei of the cerebrum related to modulation of sensory stimuli and attention through broad projections to the cerebral cortex, loss of which is related to Alzheimer's disease.

Front 16

Basal Nuclei

Back 16

Nuclei of the cerebrum (with a few components in the upper brain stem and diencephalon) that are responsible for assessing cortical movement commands and comparing them with the general state of the individual through broad modulatory activity of dopamine neurons; largely related to motor functions, as evidenced through the symptoms of Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.

Front 17

Basal Plate

Back 17

Developmental region of the spinal cord that gives rise to the lateral and anterior horns of gray matter.

Front 18

Basilar Artery

Back 18

Blood vessel from the merged vertebral arteries that runs along the dorsal surface of the brain stem.

Front 19

Brachial Plexus

Back 19

Nerve plexus associated with the lower cervical spinal nerves and first thoracic spinal nerve.

Front 20

Brain Stem

Back 20

Region of the adult brain that includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata and develops from the mesencephalon, metencephalon, and myelencephalon.

Front 21

Carotid Canal

Back 21

Opening in the temporal bone through which the internal carotid artery enters the cranium.

Front 22

Cauda Equina

Back 22

Bundle of spinal nerve roots that descend from the lower spinal cord below the first lumbar vertebra and lie within the vertebral cavity; has the appearance of a horse's tail.

Front 23

Caudate

Back 23

Nucleus deep in the cerebrum that is part of the basal nuclei; along with the putamen, it is part of the striatum.

Front 24

Central Canal

Back 24

Hollow space within the spinal cord that is the remnant of the center of the neural tube.

Front 25

Central Sulcus

Back 25

Surface landmark of the cerebral cortex that marks the boundary between the frontal and parietal lobes.

Front 26

Cephalic Flexure

Back 26

Curve in midbrain of the embryo that positions the forebrain ventrally.

Front 27

Cerebellum

Back 27

Region of the adult brain connected primarily to the pons that developed from the metencephalon (along with the pons) and is largely responsible for comparing information from the cerebrum with sensory feedback from the periphery through the spinal cord.

Front 28

Cerebral Aqueduct

Back 28

Connection of the ventricular system between the third and fourth ventricles located in the midbrain.

Front 29

Cerebral Cortex

Back 29

Outer gray matter covering the forebrain, marked by wrinkles and folds known as gyri and sulci.

Front 30

Cerebral Hemisphere

Back 30

One half of the bilaterally symmetrical cerebrum.

Front 31

Cerebrum

Back 31

Region of the adult brain that develops from the telencephalon and is responsible for higher neurological functions such as memory, emotion, and consciousness.

Front 32

Cervical Plexus

Back 32

Nerve plexus associated with the upper cervical spinal nerves.

Front 33

Choroid Plexus

Back 33

Specialized Structures containing ependymal cells lining blood capillaries that filter blood to produce CSF in the four ventricles of the brain.

Front 34

Circle of Willis

Back 34

Unique anatomical arrangement of blood vessels around the base of the brain that maintains perfusion of blood into the brain even if one component of the structure is blocked or narrowed.

Front 35

Common Carotid Artery

Back 35

Blood vessel that branches off the aorta (or the brachiocephalic artery on the right) and supplies blood to the head and neck.

Front 36

Corpus Callosum

Back 36

Large white matter structure that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres.

Front 37

Cranial Nerve Ganglion

Back 37

Sensory ganglion of cranial nerves.

Front 38

Cranial Nerve

Back 38

One of the twelve nerves connected to the brain that are responsible for sensory or motor functions of the head and neck.

Front 39

Descending Tract

Back 39

Central nervous system fibers carrying motor commands from the brain to the spinal cord or periphery.

Front 40

Diencephalon

Back 40

Region of the adult brain that retains its name from embryonic development and includes the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Front 41

Direct Pathway

Back 41

Connections with the basal nuclei from the striatum to the globus pallidus internal segment and substantia nigra pars reticulata that disinhibit the thalamus to increase cortical control of movement.

Front 42

Disinhibition

Back 42

Disynaptic connection in which the first synapse inhibits the second cell, which then stops inhibiting its final target.

Front 43

Dorsal (Posterior) Nerve Root

Back 43

Axons entering the posterior horn of the spinal cord.

Front 44

Dorsal (Posterior) Root Ganglion

Back 44

Sensory ganglion attached to the posterior nerve root of a spinal nerve.

Front 45

Dura Mater

Back 45

Tough, fibrous, outer layer of the meninges that is attached to the inner surface of the cranium and the vertebral column and surrounds the entire CNS.

Front 46

Dural Sinus

Back 46

Any of the venous structures surrounding the brain, enclosed within the dura mater, which drain blood from the CNS to the common venous return of the jugular veins.

Front 47

Endoneurium

Back 47

Innermost layer of connective tissues that surrounds individual axons within a nerve.

Front 48

Enteric Nervous System

Back 48

Peripheral structures, namely ganglia and nerves, that are incorporated into the digestive system organs.

Front 49

Enteric Plexus

Back 49

Neuronal plexus in the wall of the intestines, which is part of the enteric nervous system.

Front 50

Epineurium

Back 50

Outermost layer of connective tissue that surrounds an entire nerve.

Front 51

Epithalamus

Back 51

Region of the diencephalon containing the pineal gland.

Front 52

Esophageal Plexus

Back 52

Neuronal plexus in the wall of the esophagus that is part of the enteric nervous system.

Front 53

Extraocular Muscles

Back 53

Six skeletal muscles that control eye movement within the orbit.

Front 54

Facial Nerve

Back 54

Seventh cranial nerve; responsible for contraction of the facial muscles and for part of the sense of taste, as well as causing saliva production.

Front 55

Fascicle

Back 55

Small bundles of nerve or muscle fibers enclosed by connective tissue.

Front 56

Femoral Nerve

Back 56

Systemic nerve of the anterior leg that arises from the lumbar plexus.

Front 57

Fibular Nerve

Back 57

Systemic nerve of the posterior leg that begins as part of the sciatic nerve.

Front 58

Foramen Magnum

Back 58

Large opening in the occipital bone of the skull through which the spinal cord emerges and the vertebral arteries enter the cranium.

Front 59

Forebrain

Back 59

Anterior region of the adult brain that develops from the prosencephalon and includes the cerebrum and diencephalon.

Front 60

Fourth Ventricle

Back 60

The portion of the ventricular system that is in the region of the brain stem and opens into the subarachnoid space through the median and lateral apertures.

Front 61

Frontal Eye Field

Back 61

Region of the frontal lobe associated with motor commands to orient the eyes toward an object of visual attention.

Front 62

Frontal Lobe

Back 62

Region of the cerebral cortex directly beneath the frontal bone of the cranium.

Front 63

Gastric Plexuses

Back 63

Neuronal networks in the wall of the stomach that are part of the enteric nervous system.

Front 64

Globus Pallidus

Back 64

Nuclei deep in the cerebrum that are part of the basal nuclei and can be divided into the internal and external segments.

Front 65

Glossopharyngeal Nerve

Back 65

Ninth cranial nerve; responsible for contraction of muscles in the tongue and throat and for part of the sense of taste, as well as causing saliva production.

Front 66

Gyrus

Back 66

Ridge formed by convolutions on the surface of the cerebrum or cerebellum.

Front 67

Hindbrain

Back 67

Posterior region of the adult brain that develops from the rhombencephalon and includes the pons, medulla oblongata, and cerebellum.

Front 68

Hippocampus

Back 68

Gray matter deep in the temporal lobe that is very important for long-term memory formation.

Front 69

Hypoglossal Nerve

Back 69

Twelfth cranial nerve; responsible for contraction of muscles of the tongue.

Front 70

Hypothalamus

Back 70

Major region of the diencephalon that is responsible for coordinating autonomic and endocrine control of homeostasis.

Front 71

Indirect Pathway

Back 71

Connections within the basal nuclei from the striatum through the globus pallidus external segment and subthalamic nucleus to the globus pallidus internal segment/ substantia nigra pars compacta that result in inhibition of the thalamus to decrease cortical control of movement.

Front 72

Inferior Colliculus

Back 72

Half of the midbrain tectum that is part of the brain stem auditory pathway.

Front 73

Inferior Olive

Back 73

Nucleus in the medulla that is involved in processing information related to motor control.

Front 74

Intercostal Nerve

Back 74

Systemic nerve in the thoracic cavity that is found between two ribs.

Front 75

Internal Carotid Artery

Back 75

Branch from the common carotid artery that enters the cranium and supplies blood to the brain.

Front 76

Interventricular Foramina

Back 76

Openings between the lateral ventricles and third ventricle allowing for the passage of CSF.

Front 77

Jugular Veins

Back 77

Blood vessels that return "used" blood from the head and neck.

Front 78

Kinesthesia

Back 78

General sensory perception of movement of the body.

Front 79

Lateral Apertures

Back 79

Pair of openings from the fourth ventricle to the subarachnoid space on either side and between the medulla and cerebellum.

Front 80

Lateral Column

Back 80

White matter of the spinal cord between the posterior horn on one side and the axons from the anterior horn on the same side; composed of many different groups of axons, of both ascending and descending tracts, carrying motor commands to and from the brain.

Front 81

Lateral Horn

Back 81

Region of the spinal cord gray matter in the thoracic, upper lumbar, and sacral regions that is the central component of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system.

Front 82

Lateral Sulcus

Back 82

Surface landmark of the cerebral cortex that marks the boundary between the temporal lobe and the frontal and parietal lobes.

Front 83

Lateral Ventricles

Back 83

Portions of the ventricular system that are in the region of the cerebrum.

Front 84

Limbic Cortex

Back 84

Collection of structures of the cerebral cortex that are involved in emotion, memory, and behavior and are part of the larger limbic system.

Front 85

Limbic System

Back 85

Structures at the edge (limit) of the boundary between the forebrain and hindbrain that are most associated with emotional behavior and memory formation.

Front 86

Longitudinal Fissure

Back 86

Large separation along the midline between the two cerebral hemispheres.

Front 87

Lumbar Plexus

Back 87

Nerve plexus associated with the lumbar spinal nerves.

Front 88

Lumbar Puncture

Back 88

Procedure used to withdraw CSF from the lower lumbar region of the vertebral column that avoids the risk of damaging CNS tissue because the the spinal cord ends at the upper lumbar vertebrae.

Front 89

Median Aperture

Back 89

Singular opening from the fourth ventricle into the subarachnoid space at the midline between the medulla and cerebellum.

Front 90

Median Nerve

Back 90

Systemic nerve of the arm, located between the ulnar and radial nerves.

Front 91

Meninges

Back 91

Protective outer coverings of the CNS composed of connective tissue.

Front 92

Mesencephalon

Back 92

Primary vesicle of the embryonic brain that does not significantly change through the rest of embryonic development that becomes the midbrain.

Front 93

Metencephalon

Back 93

Secondary vesicle of the embryonic brain that develops into the pons and the cerebellum.

Front 94

Midbrain

Back 94

Middle region of the adult brain that develops from the mesencephalon.

Front 95

Myelencephalon

Back 95

Secondary vesicle of the embryonic brain that develops into the medulla.

Front 96

Nerve Plexus

Back 96

Network of nerves without neuronal cell bodies included.

Front 97

Neural Crest

Back 97

Tissue that detaches from the edges of the neural groove and migrates through the embryo to develop into peripheral structures of both nervous and non-nervous tissues.

Front 98

Neural Fold

Back 98

Elevated edge of the neural groove.

Front 99

Neural Groove

Back 99

Region of the neural plate that folds into the dorsal surface of the embryo and closes off to become the neural tube.

Front 100

Neural Plate

Back 100

Thickened layer of neuroepithelium that runs longitudinally along the dorsal surface of an embryo and gives rise to nervous system tissue.

Front 101

Neural Tube

Back 101

Precursor to structures of the central nervous system, formed by the invagination and separation of neuroepithelium.

Front 102

Neuraxis

Back 102

Central axis to the nervous system, from the posterior to anterior ends of the neural tube; the inferior tip of the spinal cord to the anterior surface of the cerebrum.

Front 103

Occipital Lobe

Back 103

Region of the cerebral cortex directly beneath the occipital bone of the cranium.

Front 104

Occipital Sinuses

Back 104

Dural sinuses along the edge of the occipital lobes of the cerebrum.

Front 105

Oculomotor Nerve

Back 105

Third cranial nerve; responsible for contraction of four of the extraocular muscles, the muscle in the upper eyelid, and pupillary constriction.

Front 106

Olfaction

Back 106

Special sense responsible for smell, which has a unique, direct connection to the cerebrum.

Front 107

Olfactory Nerve

Back 107

First cranial nerve; responsible for the sense of smell.

Front 108

Optic Nerve

Back 108

Second cranial nerve; responsible for visual sensation.

Front 109

Orthostatic Reflex

Back 109

Sympathetic function that maintains blood pressure when standing to offset the increased effect of gravity.

Front 110

Paravertebral Ganglia

Back 110

Autonomic ganglia superior to the sympathetic chain ganglia.

Front 111

Parietal Lobe

Back 111

Region of the cerebral cortex directly beneath the parietal bone of the cranium.

Front 112

Parieto-Occipital Sulcus

Back 112

Groove in the cerebral cortex representing the border between the parietal and occipital cortices.

Front 113

Perineurium

Back 113

Layer of connective tissue surrounding fascicles within a nerve.

Front 114

Phrenic Nerve

Back 114

Systemic nerve from the cervical plexus that enervates the diaphragm.

Front 115

Pia Mater

Back 115

Thin, innermost membrane of the meninges that directly covers the surface of the CNS.

Front 116

Plexus

Back 116

Network of nerves or nervous tissue.

Front 117

Postcentral Gyrus

Back 117

Ridge just posterior to the central sulcus, in the parietal lobe, where somatosensory processing initially takes place in the cerebrum.

Front 118

Posterior Columns

Back 118

White matter of the spinal cord that lies between the posterior horns of gray matter, sometimes referred to as the dorsal column; composed of axons of ascending tracts that carry sensory information up to the brain.

Front 119

Posterior Horn

Back 119

Gray matter region of the spinal cord in which sensory input arrives, sometimes referred to as the dorsal horn.

Front 120

Posterior Median Sulcus

Back 120

Midline feature of the posterior spinal cord, marking the separation between right and left sides of the cord.

Front 121

Posterolateral Sulcus

Back 121

Feature of the posterior spinal cord marking the entry of posterior nerve roots and the separation between the posterior and lateral columns of the white matter.

Front 122

Precentral Gyrus

Back 122

Primary motor cortex located in the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex.

Front 123

Prefrontal Lobe

Back 123

Specific region of the frontal lobe anterior to the more specific motor function areas, which can be related to the early planning of movements and intentions to the point of being personality-type functions.

Front 124

Premotor Area

Back 124

Region of the frontal lobe responsible for planning movements that will be executed through the primary motor cortex.

Front 125

Prevertebral Ganglia

Back 125

Autonomic ganglia that are anterior to the vertebral column and functionally related to the sympathetic chain ganglia.

Front 126

Primary Vesicle

Back 126

Initial enlargements of the anterior neural tube during embryonic development that develop into the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain.

Front 127

Proprioception

Back 127

General sensory perceptions providing information about location and movement of body parts; the "sense of self".

Front 128

Prosencephalon

Back 128

Primary vesicle of the embryonic brain that develops into the forebrain, which includes the cerebrum and diencephalon.

Front 129

Putamen

Back 129

Nucleus deep in the cerebrum that is part of the basal nuclei; along with the caudate, it is part of the striatum.

Front 130

Radial Nerve

Back 130

Systemic nerve of the arm, the distal component of which is located near the radial bone.

Front 131

Reticular Formation

Back 131

Diffuses region of gray matter throughout the brain stem that regulates sleep, wakefulness, and states of consciousness.

Front 132

Rhombencephalon

Back 132

Primary vesicle of the embryonic brain that develops into the hindbrain, which includes the pons, cerebellum, and medulla.

Front 133

Sacral Plexus

Back 133

Nerve plexus associated with the lower lumbar and sacral spinal nerves.

Front 134

Saphenous Nerve

Back 134

Systemic nerve of the lower anterior leg that is a branch from the femoral nerve.

Front 135

Sciatic Nerve

Back 135

Systemic nerve from the sacral plexus that is a combination of the tibial and fibular nerves and extends across the hip joint and gluteal region into the upper posterior leg.

Front 136

Sciatica

Back 136

Painful condition resulting from inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve or any of the spinal nerves that contribute to it.

Front 137

Secondary Vesicle

Back 137

Five vesicles that develop from primary vesicles, continuing the process of differentiation of the embryonic brain.

Front 138

Sigmoid Sinuses

Back 138

Dural sinuses that drain directly into the jugular veins.

Front 139

Somatosensation

Back 139

General senses related to the body, usually thought of as the senses of touch, which would include pain, temperature, and proprioception.

Front 140

Spinal Sensory Nerve

Back 140

Eleventh cranial nerve; responsible for contraction of neck muscles.

Front 141

Spinal Nerve

Back 141

One of 31 nerves connected to the spinal cord.

Front 142

Straight Sinus

Back 142

Dural sinus that drains blood from the deep center of the brain to collect with the other sinuses.

Front 143

Striatum

Back 143

The caudate and putamen collectively, as part of the basal nuclei, which receive input from the cerebral cortex.

Front 144

Subarachnoid Space

Back 144

Space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater that contains CSF and the fibrous connections of the arachnoid trabeculae.

Front 145

Subcortical Nucleus

Back 145

All the nuclei beneath the cerebral cortex, including the basal nuclei and the basal forebrain.

Front 146

Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta

Back 146

Nuclei within the basal nuclei that release dopamine to modulate the function of the striatum; part of the motor pathway.

Front 147

Substantia Nigra Pars Reticulata

Back 147

Nuclei within the basal nuclei that serve as an output center of the nuclei; part of the motor pathway.

Front 148

Subthalamus

Back 148

Nucleus with the basal nuclei that is part of the indirect pathway.

Front 149

Sulcus

Back 149

Groove formed by convolutions in the surface of the cerebral cortex.

Front 150

Superior Colliculus

Back 150

Half of the midbrain tectum that is responsible for aligning visual, auditory, and somatosensory spatial perceptions.

Front 151

Superior Sagittal Sinus

Back 151

Dural sinus that runs along the top of the longitudinal fissure and drains blood from the majority of the outer cerebrum.

Front 152

Sympathetic Chain Ganglia

Back 152

Autonomic ganglia in a chain along the anterolateral aspect of the vertebral column that are responsible for contributing to homeostatic mechanisms of the autonomic nervous system.

Front 153

Systemic Nerve

Back 153

Nerve in the periphery distal to a nerve plexus or spinal nerve.

Front 154

Tectum

Back 154

Region of the midbrain, thought of as the roof of the cerebral aqueduct, which is subdivided into the inferior and superior colliculi.

Front 155

Tegmentum

Back 155

Region of the midbrain, thought of as the floor of the cerebral aqueduct, which continues into the pons and medulla as the floor of the fourth ventricle.

Front 156

Telencephalon

Back 156

Secondary vesicle of the embryonic brain that develops into the cerebrum.

Front 157

Temporal Lobe

Back 157

Region of the cerebral cortex directly beneath the temporal bone of the cranium.

Front 158

Terminal Ganglion

Back 158

Autonomic ganglia that are near or within the walls of organs that are responsible for contributing to homeostatic mechanisms of the autonomic nervous system.

Front 159

Thalamus

Back 159

Major region of the diencephalon that is responsible for relaying information between the cerebrum and the hindbrain, spinal cord, and periphery.

Front 160

Third Ventricle

Back 160

Portion of the ventricular system that is in the region of the diencephalon.

Front 161

Tibial Nerve

Back 161

Systemic nerve of the posterior leg that begins as part of the sciatic nerve.

Front 162

Transverse Sinuses

Back 162

Dural sinuses that drain along either side of the occipital-cerebellar space.

Front 163

Trigeminal Ganglion

Back 163

Sensory ganglion that contributes sensory fibers to the trigeminal nerve.

Front 164

Trigeminal Nerve

Back 164

Fifth cranial nerve; responsible for cutaneous sensation of the face and contraction of the muscles of mastication.

Front 165

Trochlear Nerve

Back 165

Fourth cranial nerve; responsible for contraction of one of the extraocular muscles.

Front 166

Ulnar Nerve

Back 166

Systemic nerve of the arm located close to the ulna, a bone of the forearm.

Front 167

Vagus Nerve

Back 167

Tenth cranial nerve; responsible for the autonomic control of organs in the thoracic and upper abdominal cavities.

Front 168

Ventral (Anterior) Nerve Root

Back 168

Axons emerging from the anterior or lateral horns of the spinal cord.

Front 169

Ventricles

Back 169

Remnants of the hollow center of the neural tube that are spaces for cerebrospinal fluid to circulate through the brain.

Front 170

Vertebral Arteries

Back 170

Arteries that ascend along either side of the vertebral column through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae and enter the cranium through the foramen magnum.

Front 171

Vestibulocochlear Nerve

Back 171

Eighth cranial nerve; responsible for the sensations of hearing and balance.