CNS Flashcards 9.12-9.16

Questions and Answers

What are meninges?

The three membranes (the dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater) that line the skull and vertebral canal and enclose the brain and spinal cord.

What is the pia mater?

Internal layer, directly covering the brain and spinal cord.

What is the dura mater?

The outermost layer of the meninges which envelops the arachnoid mater and supports the dural sinuses.

What is the arachnoid mater?

The middle layer of the three membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What is cerebrospinal fluid?

Clear, colorless, and watery fluid that fills the space between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater. Signup and view all the answers

What is the spinal cord?

A cylindrical bundle of nerve fibers and associated tissue that connects nearly all parts of the body to the brain. Signup and view all the answers

What are spinal nerves?

31 pairs of nerves arising from the spinal cord that carry motor, sensory, and autonomic signals. Signup and view all the answers

What are tracts?

Axons bundled together in the CNS that carry one type of information. Signup and view all the answers

What is the central canal?

The cerebrospinal fluid-filled space running through the length of the spinal cord. Signup and view all the answers

What is an ascending tract?

A nerve pathway that goes upward from the spinal cord toward the brain carrying sensory information. Signup and view all the answers

What is a descending tract?

A nerve pathway that goes down the spinal cord allowing the brain to control movement of the body. Signup and view all the answers

What are spinal reflexes?

Somatic reflexes involving an integration center in the spinal cord and effectors that are skeletal muscle. Signup and view all the answers

What is the brain?

The mass of nerve tissue that is the main control center of the nervous system. Signup and view all the answers

What is the cerebrum?

The area of the brain responsible for all voluntary activities of the body. Signup and view all the answers

What are cerebral hemispheres?

The right and left halves of the cerebrum. Signup and view all the answers

What is the corpus callosum?

The large axon band of neural fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres. Signup and view all the answers

What are gyri?

Elevated ridges of tissue in the cerebral hemispheres. Signup and view all the answers

What are sulci?

Shallow grooves that separate gyri in the cerebral hemispheres. Signup and view all the answers

What is a fissure?

A long narrow slit or groove that divides an organ into lobes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the frontal lobe?

A region of the cerebral cortex specialized for movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, and judgment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the parietal lobe?

A portion of the brain involved in processing sensory information. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Meninges

Consist of three membranes: dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater.
Enclose and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Pia Mater

Innermost layer of the meninges.
Directly covers the brain and spinal cord.

Dura Mater

Outermost layer of the meninges, termed "tough mother."
Envelops the arachnoid mater and supports the dural sinuses, facilitating blood flow from the brain.

Arachnoid Mater

Middle layer of the meninges, delicate in structure.
Positioned between the dura mater and pia mater.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Clear, colorless fluid filling the space between the arachnoid and pia mater.
Provides protection and absorbs shock for the brain and spinal cord.

Spinal Cord

A cylindrical bundle of nerve fibers enclosed in the spine.
Connects body parts to the brain, forming the central nervous system.

Spinal Nerves

Comprises 31 pairs of nerves originating from the spinal cord.
Carries motor, sensory, and autonomic signals; organized into ascending and descending tracts.

Tracts

Bundles of axons in the central nervous system, each carrying a specific type of information.

Central Canal

A cerebrospinal fluid-filled channel running through the spinal cord.
Connects with the brain's ventricular system and provides structural housing for the spinal cord.

Ascending Tract

Nerve pathways transporting sensory information from the body to the brain.

Descending Tract

Nerve pathways transmitting motor commands from the brain to lower motor neurons.

Spinal Reflexes

Somatic reflexes integrated within the spinal cord, typically involving skeletal muscles.
Clinical assessment of reflexes is crucial for evaluating nervous system integrity.

Brain

Central control apparatus of the nervous system, composed of mass nerve tissue.

Cerebrum

Primary area responsible for voluntary bodily functions.
Represents the largest part of the brain.

Cerebral Hemispheres

Consists of two mirror-image halves of the cerebrum, each contributing to the overall brain function.
Characterized by an outer layer of grey matter.

Corpus Callosum

A large bundle of neural fibers connecting the brain's two hemispheres.
Facilitates interhemispheric communication, situated deep in the central groove.

Gyri and Sulci

Gyri refer to elevated ridges or "wrinkles" of the brain.
Sulci are shallow grooves separating gyri.

Fissure

A long narrow slit or groove that divides an organ into lobes.

Frontal Lobe

The largest lobe, located in the upper forward part of each hemisphere.
Involved in movement, abstract thinking, planning, memory, judgment, and personality attributes.

Parietal Lobe

A significant section of the cerebrum, functions related to sensory perception and integration.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the central nervous system with these flashcards covering key terms like 'menings', 'pia mater', and 'duramater'. Perfect for anyone studying neuroscience or anatomy. Challenge yourself to remember the functions and definitions of these essential structures!