Nervous System Chapter

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the somatic nervous system?

controlling voluntary activities (correct)

producing hormones

controlling involuntary activities

regulating body temperature

What is the ratio of cranial nerves to spinal nerves in the peripheral nervous system?

31:12

12:1

1:12

12:31 (correct)

What is the primary function of neuroglia?

transmitting nerve impulses

supporting nervous tissue (correct)

producing hormones

regulating body temperature

What is the longest process of a neuron?

axon Signup and view all the answers

What is the central nervous system composed of?

neurons and neuroglia Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of dendrites in a neuron?

carrying nerve impulses toward the nerve cell body Signup and view all the answers

What is the autonomic nervous system responsible for controlling?

involuntary activities Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between gray matter and white matter in the central nervous system?

gray matter consists of nerve cells, white matter consists of nerve fibers Signup and view all the answers

Which cranial nerve is responsible for transmitting sensory information related to smell?

Olfactory nerve (CN I) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fibers carry nerve impulses away from the central nervous system?

Efferent fibers Signup and view all the answers

How many pairs of spinal nerves leave the spinal cord?

31 pairs Signup and view all the answers

Which cranial nerve is responsible for transmitting sensory information related to balance and hearing?

Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the anterior root of a spinal nerve?

Carries motor information from the central nervous system Signup and view all the answers

Which cranial nerve is responsible for transmitting motor information to the tongue?

Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the posterior root of a spinal nerve?

Carries sensory information to the central nervous system Signup and view all the answers

How many regions of the vertebral column are associated with spinal nerves?

6 regions Signup and view all the answers

What type of fibers are concerned with conveying information about sensations of touch, pain, temperature, and vibrations?

Sensory fibers Signup and view all the answers

What is formed at each intervertebral foramen?

A spinal nerve Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the autonomic nervous system?

Innervation of involuntary structures Signup and view all the answers

Where are the cervical and brachial plexuses found?

At the root of the upper limbs Signup and view all the answers

What is the posterior ramus responsible for supplying?

The muscles and skin of the back Signup and view all the answers

What are the two parts of the autonomic nervous system?

Sympathetic and parasympathetic Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the sympathetic nervous system?

To prepare the body for action and emergency Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Increasing blood pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of neurons of the parasympathetic system?

Cranial nerves III, VII, IX, and X, and sacral spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the hypothalamus?

Controlling the autonomic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the sympathetic nervous system's 'fight or flight' response?

To prepare the body for action and emergency Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of a mucous membrane?

Epithelium supported by connective tissue Signup and view all the answers

Where are serous membranes found?

In the cavities of the trunk and reflected onto the mobile viscera Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?

To conserve and restore energy and function Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nervous System

Divided into:
- Central Nervous System (CNS): brain and spinal cord
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Composed of two major cell types:
- Neurons: structural and functional cells, consist of nerve cells and their processes
- Neuroglia: supporting nervous tissue for neurons
Neurons have two types of processes:
- Dendrites: short processes that carry nerve impulses towards the nerve cell body
- Axon: longest process that carries nerve impulses away from the nerve cell body
Interior of CNS organized into:
- Gray matter: nerve cells embedded in neuroglia
- White matter: nerve fibers (axons) embedded in neuroglia

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Consists of:
- Cranial nerves: 12 pairs that leave the brain and pass through foramina in the skull
- Spinal nerves: 31 pairs that leave the spinal cord and pass through intervertebral foramina

Cranial Nerves

12 pairs of cranial nerves:
- I. Olfactory nerve: sensory for smell
- II. Optic nerve: sensory for vision
- III. Oculomotor nerve: motor fibers to eye muscles
- IV. Trochlear nerve: motor fibers to eye muscles
- V. Trigeminal nerve: sensory for the face; motor fibers to chewing muscles
- ...
- XII. Hypoglossal nerve: motor fibers to tongue

Spinal Nerves

31 pairs of spinal nerves:
- Cervical: 8 pairs
- Thoracic: 12 pairs
- Lumbar: 5 pairs
- Sacral: 5 pairs
- Coccygeal: 1 pair
Each spinal nerve connected to spinal cord by two roots:
- Anterior root: bundles of nerve fibers carrying nerve impulses away from CNS (efferent fibers)
- Posterior root: bundles of nerve fibers carrying impulses to CNS (afferent fibers)

Autonomic Nervous System

Concerned with innervation of involuntary structures (heart, smooth muscle, glands)
Divided into two parts:
- Sympathetic system: prepares body for action and emergency (fight or flight response)
- Parasympathetic system: conserves and restores energy and functions (rest or digest)

Sympathetic System

Increases:
- Heart rate
- Respiration
- Blood pressure
- Blood flow to brain, heart, and skeletal muscles
- Pupils dilation
Decreases:
- Peristalsis of intestinal tract
- Visceral activity
Neurons originate in thoracic and upper lumbar segments of spinal cord (T1-L3)

Parasympathetic System

Decreases:
- Heart rate
- Respiration
- Blood pressure
- Pupils constriction
Increases:
- Peristalsis of intestinal tract
- Visceral activity
- Glandular activity
Neurons originate in brain (cranial outflow) or sacral spinal cord (sacral outflow)

Mucous Membranes

Line organs or passages that communicate with the surface of the body
Consist of:
- Epithelium
- Lamina propria (connective tissue)
- Smooth muscle (muscularis mucosa)
May or may not secrete mucus on its surface

Serous Membranes

Line cavities of the trunk and are reflected onto mobile viscera lying within these cavities

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Description

This quiz covers the Nervous System, including the Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System, as well as neurons and neuroglia. Learn about the structure and function of the nervous system.