Explain Medical Terminologies of Nervous System Flashcards

Medical terminology, neurology

76 cards   |   Total Attempts: 182
  

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Nervous system
Controls all critical body activities and reactions. Coordinates both voluntary activities, as well as involuntary functions.
Nerves
Microscopic nerve cell grouped into bundles, that carry electrical messages throughout the body.
Central nervous system
The CNS is the control center for the entire nervous system. All nerve messages either originate in or eventually terminate in the brain or spinal cord.
Peripheral nervous system
PNS is anatomically defined to include all of the nervous tissue found outside the brain and spinal cord. Consists of the somatic nervous system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Somatic Nervous system
Allows us to consciously control our skeletal muscles.
Autonomic nervous system
Regulates the activity of smooth muscles, cardiac muscles, and glands and ensure that balance is maintained in our internal environment. Involved with the regulation of automatic functions and is not under conscious control.
Cranial nerves
Carry impulses mainly between the brain and the head and the neck. Part of the Somatic nervous system.
Spinal nerves
Carry messages between the spinal cord and the chest, abdomen, and extremities.
Neurons
The basic structural and functional units of the nervous system. Specialized to respond to physical and chemical stimuli, conduct electrochemical impulses and release specific chemical regulators.
Spinal cord
Transmits impulses to and from the brain and is protected from mechanical injury by the vertebral canal. The cord consists of bundles of nerve fibers grouped into nerve tracts.
Ascending tracts
Consist of sensory nerve fibers that carry sensory impulses to the brain.
Descending tracts
Made up of groups of motor nerves and carry impulses away from the brain to the muscles and extremities.
Spinal nerves
31 pairs of spinal nerves that emerge from the spinal cord.
Brain
The most complex organ of the body both in its structure and function. Integrates and controls every physical and mental, voluntary and involuntary activity of the body. It is also the center for memory, emotion, thought, judgement, reasoning, and consciousness.
Brain stem
Serves as a pathway for impulse conduction between the brain and the spinal cord. Serves as the origin of the cranial nerves also.