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Anatomy & Physiology: Nervous System Overview

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What are the 5 developmental regions of the brain?

    The telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon, metencephalon, and myelencephalon.

  • Main features and functions of the telencephalon

    Includes the cerebral cortex responsible for higher brain functions like speech, understanding, and voluntary movement.

  • Main features and functions of the diencephalon

    Contains the thalamus and hypothalamus, involved in sensory relay and autonomic control.

  • Main features and functions of the mesencephalon

    Also called the midbrain, it controls visual and auditory reflexes and motor coordination.

  • Main features and functions of the metencephalon

    Includes the pons and cerebellum, important for motor control and balance.

  • Main features and functions of the myelencephalon

    Contains the medulla oblongata, which regulates vital autonomic functions like breathing and heart rate.

  • What are the 5 lobes of the cerebral cortex and their basic functions?

    Frontal: motor control and decision making; Parietal: sensory processing; Temporal: hearing and memory; Occipital: vision; Insular: visceral sensation.

  • Where are higher functions of speech and understanding located?

    Primarily in the left hemisphere of the frontal and temporal lobes, including Broca's and Wernicke's areas.

  • What are the 3 meninges protecting the CNS?

    Dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

  • What are the brain ventricles and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow pathway?

    Four ventricles: two lateral, third, and fourth. CSF flows from lateral ventricles → third ventricle → cerebral aqueduct → fourth ventricle → subarachnoid space.

  • Examples of ascending spinal pathways

    Spinothalamic tract (pain and temperature) and dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway (touch and proprioception).

  • Examples of descending spinal pathways

    Corticospinal tract (voluntary motor control) and vestibulospinal tract (balance and posture).

  • Types of sensory receptors in the peripheral nervous system

    Include mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors, nociceptors, photoreceptors, and chemoreceptors.

  • How many pairs of cranial nerves are there and their basic function?

    12 pairs, responsible for sensory and motor functions of the head and neck.

  • What is the function of a reflex?

    To provide a rapid, involuntary response to stimuli to protect the body or maintain homeostasis.

  • Components of a reflex arc

    Receptor, sensory neuron, integration center (usually interneuron), motor neuron, and effector.

  • Roles of the sympathetic nervous system

    Prepares the body for fight or flight responses: increases heart rate, dilates pupils, inhibits digestion.

  • Roles of the parasympathetic nervous system

    Promotes rest and digest activities: slows heart rate, stimulates digestion, conserves energy.

  • How are the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems arranged?

    Sympathetic neurons originate in the thoracolumbar spinal cord; parasympathetic neurons originate in the craniosacral regions.

  • Neurotransmitters and receptors in the autonomic nervous system

    Sympathetic uses norepinephrine on adrenergic receptors; parasympathetic uses acetylcholine on muscarinic receptors.