Chapter 10 Vocab.
Central Nervous System
Includes the brain and spinal cord.
Parasympathetic Nerves
Involuntary, automatic nerves that regulate normal body functions such as heart rate, breathing, and gastrointestinal muscles.
Plexus
Large, interlacing network of nerves.
Cerebrum
Largest part of the brain.
Brain Stem
Lower portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord.
Nerve
Macroscopic cord-like colection of fibers that carry elecrtrical impulses.
Thalamus
Main relay center of the brain.
Meninges
Membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Dendrite
Microscopic branching fiber of a nerve cell that is the first to receive a nervous impulse.
Axon
Microscopic fiber that carries the nervous impulse along a nerve cell.
Arschnoid Membrane
Middle layer of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Efferent Nerve
Motor nerve that carries messages away from the brain and spinal cord.
Heuron
Nerve cell that carries impulses throughout the body.
Peripheral Nervous System
Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord including cranial and spinal nerves.
Acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter chemical released at the ends of nerve cells.
Receptor
Organ that receives a nervous stimulation and passes it on to afferent nerves.
Cerebral Cortex
Outer region of the cerebrum; contains sheets of nerves.
Cell Body
Part of a nerve cell that contains the nucleus.
Pons
Part of the brain anterior to the cerebellum and between the medulla and the rest of the midbrain.
Microglial Cell
Phagocytic glial cell.
Medulla Oblongata
Portion of the brain just above the spinal cord; controls breathing, heartbeat, and size of blood vessels.
Hypothalamus
Portion of the brain that controls sleep, body temperature, and secretions from the pituitary gland.
Cerebellum
Posterior part of the brain; coordinates muscle movements and maintains balance.
Gyrus
Sheet of nervecells that produces a rounded fold on the surface of the brain.
Synapse
Space through which a nervous impulse travels between nerve cells or between nerve cells or between and muscles or glandular cells.
Sciatic Nerve
Spinal nerve extending from the base of the spine down the thigh, lower leg, and foot.
Glia Cell
Supportive and connective type of nerve cell; does not carry nervous impulses.
Vagus Nerve
Tenth cranial nerve.
Stimulus
Agent of change (light, sound, touch) that evokes a response.
Sympathetic Nerves
Autonomic nerves that influence bodily functions involuntarily in times of stress.
Blood- Brain Barrier
Blood vessels (capillaries) that selectively let certain substances enter the brain tissue and keep others out.
Motor Nerve
Carries messages away from the brain and spinal cord; efferent nerve.
Sensory Nerve
Carries messages toward the brain and spinal cord; afferent nerve.
Afferent Nerve
Carries messages towards the brain and spinal cord from receptors
Neurotransmitter
Chemical messender, released at the end of a nerve cell.
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Circulates throughout the brain and spinal cord.
Ganglion
Collection of nerve cell bodies in the PNS.
Cauda Equina
Collection of spinal nerves below the end of the spinal cord.
Storma
Connective and supporting tissue of an organ; glial cells of the brain.
Autonomic Nervous System
Contains nerves that control involuntary body functions or muscles, glands, and internal organs.
Sulcus
Depression or groove in the surface of the cerebral cortex.
Parenchyma
Essential, distinguishing tissue of an organ or system.
Ependymal Cell
Glial (neuroglial) cell that lines membranes within the brain and spinal cord; helps form cerebrospinal fluid.
Oligodendroglial Cell
Glial cell that forms the myelin sheath covering axons.
Dura Mater
Thick, outermost layer of the meninges.
Pia Mater
Thin, delicate inner membrane of the menings.
Cranial Nerves
Twelve pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the brain.
Astrocyte
Type of glial (neuroglial) cell that transports water and salts from capillaries.
Myelin Sheath
White, fatty tissue that surrounds and insulates the axon of a nerve cell.
