Human Anatomy: Larynx and Nervous System

The contraction phase of the heart, where chambers eject blood.

The relaxation phase of the heart, where chambers refill with blood.

The electrical impulse initiating heart contraction, located in the right atrium.

The muscle tissue of the heart responsible for pumping blood.

Blood vessels carrying blood away from the heart.

Blood vessels carrying blood towards the heart.

Tiny blood vessels where gas and nutrient exchange occurs.

The outermost layer of blood vessels, providing support and anchoring.

A tube composed of stacked cartilage rings connected by dense connective tissue. This structure provides flexibility and support, allowing for air passage during breathing.

A specialized epithelium lining the trachea, consisting of pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium and a layer of lamina propria. It also contains goblet cells, which secrete mucus, and cilia that move the mucus upwards.

A mechanism within the respiratory tract that helps clear pathogens and foreign material. It involves the upward movement of mucus, trapped by cilia.

This is a large, v-shaped cartilage in the larynx, responsible for supporting the voice box and also creating the Adam's apple.

This is the upper part of the airway, connecting the pharynx to the trachea. It contains three major cartilages: thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis, and plays a crucial role in sound production and swallowing.

A tail-like bundle of spinal nerve roots extending from the end of the spinal cord.

The outer region of the spinal cord containing myelinated axons that transmit information to and from the brain.

The inner region of the spinal cord containing neuron cell bodies, dendrites, unmyelinated axons, and glial cells.

The branch of a spinal nerve that serves the deep muscles and skin of the back.

The branch of a spinal nerve that serves the muscles and structures of the limbs and the front muscles of the trunk.

The primary vesicles are the initial stages of brain development, forming during embryogenesis. They ultimately differentiate into the various structures of the adult brain.

The secondary vesicles are derived from the primary vesicles, developing into more specific brain regions. These include structures like the cerebrum, thalamus, and brainstem.

The cranial meninges are protective membranes surrounding the brain, providing structural support and protection. They consist of three layers: dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Dural venous sinuses are spaces within the dura mater, filled with venous blood. These sinuses drain venous blood from the brain and also receive cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space through arachnoid villi.

The arachnoid villi are finger-like projections of the arachnoid mater that extend into the dural sinuses. They act as valves, allowing excess cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space to flow into the sinuses.

Cerebral veins drain venous blood from the brain into the dural venous sinuses. This blood ultimately returns to the heart through the jugular veins.

The branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for "rest and digest" functions; reduces heart rate, increases digestive activity, and constricts pupils.

The branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for "fight or flight" responses; increases heart rate, dilates pupils, and shunts blood to skeletal muscle and skin.

The neurotransmitter used by preganglionic neurons in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

The neurotransmitter used by postganglionic neurons in the sympathetic nervous system, except those innervating sweat glands.

A collection of neuron cell bodies located outside of the CNS, primarily found along the vertebral column. They receive input from preganglionic sympathetic neurons.

The endocrine gland located on top of each kidney, secreting epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine in response to sympathetic activation.

A process of maintaining a stable internal environment. The endocrine system plays a role by regulating hormone production in response to changes in the body.

A regulatory mechanism in which a stimulus triggers a response that opposes the initial change. It helps maintain balance in the body's systems.

The cerebellum is located at the back of the brain, beneath the cerebrum, and it's connected to the brainstem. It's a key player in coordinating movement, maintaining balance, and storing motor memories. Imagine it as the brain's choreographer, ensuring smooth and precise movements.

The cerebellum receives information from the primary motor cortex, which sends motor commands. It compares this information to sensory feedback from the body and makes adjustments to ensure smooth and coordinated movements. Think of a dancer adjusting their steps in response to the music and floor.

Motor commands originate in the primary motor cortex, located in the frontal lobe. The cerebellum doesn't initiate movement, it just helps fine-tune and refine the movement.

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, responsible for higher cognitive functions like thinking, learning, memory, and language. It's divided into two hemispheres, left and right. Think of the cerebrum as the brain's control center, handling all the intricate processes of our complex thoughts and actions.

The cerebrum is made up of white matter and gray matter. White matter contains myelinated axons, allowing for rapid communication between brain regions. Gray matter contains neuron cell bodies and dendrites, performing complex processing. Imagine the white matter as the brain's communication network (like wires), and the gray matter as the processing centers (like computers).

The motor cortex is responsible for voluntary skeletal muscle movement. It's located in the frontal lobe, and its various parts control different parts of the body. It's represented by the motor homunculus, a distorted map of the body where larger areas correspond to parts with finer motor control, like your hands and face.

The somatosensory cortex is located in the parietal lobe and processes sensory information from various parts of the body. It's represented by the sensory homunculus, a distorted map where larger areas correspond to parts with greater sensitivity. This part of the brain receives and interprets senses like touch, pressure, temperature, and pain.

The motor homunculus and the sensory homunculus are distorted maps of the body, where the size of each body part corresponds to the amount of motor or sensory control that area has. Think of them as quirky, oversized body maps!

The association areas of the cerebrum are responsible for higher-level cognitive functions, integrating and interpreting sensory information, forming memories, and planning complex actions. Think of these areas as the brain's 'think tank', connecting the dots and making sense of the world.

Wernicke's area is located in the posterior part of the brain, specifically in the left hemisphere. It plays a critical role in understanding spoken and written language. Think of it as the brain's 'language interpreter'!