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Anatomy & Physiology: Skeletal and Nervous System Key Concepts

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Terms in this set (30)

  • Identify cervical vertebrae
    Cervical vertebrae have transverse foramina that allow passage of vertebral arteries.
  • Atlas and axis features
    The first cervical vertebra, the atlas, lacks a body; the second, the axis, has a superior projection called the dens (odontoid process).
  • Thoracic vertebrae identification
    Thoracic vertebrae have long spinous processes and costal facets that articulate with ribs.
  • Lumbar vertebrae identification
    Lumbar vertebrae have thick bodies and short, blunt spinous processes.
  • Intervertebral disc composition
    An intervertebral disc has an outer fibrous ring called the anulus fibrosus and an inner gelatinous core called the nucleus pulposus.
  • Function of intervertebral discs
    Intervertebral discs provide shock absorption and allow flexibility in the vertebral column.
  • Types of vertebral fractures
    Wedge fracture, burst fracture, and herniated disc differ in cause and symptoms, often involving trauma or disc displacement.
  • Purpose of a spinal tap (lumbar puncture)
    A spinal tap collects cerebrospinal fluid for diagnosis or delivers medication; performed below the spinal cord end.
  • Structures of the thoracic cage
    The thoracic cage includes the sternum, ribs, and thoracic vertebrae.
  • Function of the thoracic cage
    It protects vital organs and supports respiration.
  • Correct CPR compression location
    CPR compressions should be done on the lower half of the sternum to avoid injury.
  • Membrane potential definition
    Membrane potential is the voltage difference across a cell membrane due to ion distribution.
  • Three main types of ion channels
    Leak channels, gated channels, and voltage-gated channels differ by how they open and close.
  • Resting membrane ion distribution
    At rest, Na+ is higher outside, K+ is higher inside; gradients create electrical and chemical forces.
  • Cause of negative resting membrane potential
    Movement of positive ions out of the cell (mainly K+) makes the inside more negative.
  • Neuron structure and function
    Dendrites receive signals, the soma integrates, the axon transmits action potentials, and synaptic terminals release neurotransmitters.
  • Depolarization vs repolarization vs hyperpolarization
    Depolarization: membrane becomes less negative; repolarization: returns to resting; hyperpolarization: more negative than resting.
  • Phases of an action potential
    1) Depolarization: Na+ influx; 2) Repolarization: K+ efflux; 3) Hyperpolarization: continued K+ outflow.
  • Local potentials vs action potentials
    Local potentials are graded and reversible; action potentials are all-or-none and propagate long distances.
  • Absolute vs relative refractory periods
    Absolute: no new AP possible; relative: larger stimulus needed to trigger AP.
  • Saltatory conduction
    In myelinated neurons, action potentials jump between nodes of Ranvier, increasing conduction velocity.
  • Chemical synapse transmission steps
    Action potential triggers Ca2+ influx, vesicle fusion, neurotransmitter release, receptor binding, and postsynaptic response.
  • Excitatory vs inhibitory postsynaptic potentials
    EPSPs depolarize and increase AP likelihood; IPSPs hyperpolarize and decrease AP likelihood.
  • Summation in neurons
    Spatial and temporal summation combine local potentials to reach threshold for an action potential.
  • Bone organic and inorganic matrix roles
    Organic matrix (collagen) provides flexibility; inorganic matrix (hydroxyapatite) provides strength.
  • Osteoblast role in intramembranous ossification
    Osteoblasts produce bone matrix directly from mesenchyme.
  • Bone collar in endochondral ossification
    The bone collar forms around the cartilage model, initiating ossification.
  • Cells responsible for longitudinal bone growth
    Chondrocytes in the epiphyseal plate divide to lengthen bones.
  • Appositional bone growth
    Bone grows in thickness by osteoblasts adding matrix beneath the periosteum.
  • Bone remodeling in healthy bone
    Bone remodeling continuously replaces old bone to maintain strength and mineral balance.