Nervous System Organization Quiz

The most numerous type of glial cell in the CNS, they are responsible for a variety of functions such as maintaining the blood-brain barrier, regulating neurotransmitter levels, and providing support and energy to neurons.

Line the brain's ventricles and are responsible for the production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid. They contribute to the formation of the choroid plexus.

Provide insulation and support to axons by forming the myelin sheath. One oligodendrocyte can myelinate multiple axons.

Immature glial cells that can differentiate into oligodendrocytes, neurons, or astrocytes. They play a crucial role in repairing damaged nervous tissue.

Long, flat cells that wrap around axons in the PNS, forming the myelin sheath, which insulates axons and enhances signal transmission.

Flat cells that surround neuron cell bodies in ganglia within the PNS, they separate cell bodies from interstitial fluid and regulate the exchange of nutrients and waste.

A chemical synapse involves the release of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesicles in the presynaptic neuron.

Skeletal muscles are effector organs responsible for voluntary movement.

Somatic sensory pathways transmit sensations we are conscious of, like touch, body position, pain, and temperature.

All somatic sensory pathways involve three sensory neurons: 1st-order, 2nd-order, and 3rd-order.

The dorsal column (medial lemniscus) pathway carries proprioception, fine touch, and pressure information.

The dorsal column pathway starts at sensory receptors, crosses to the opposite side in the medulla oblongata, synapses in the thalamus, and ends at the primary somatosensory cortex.

The anterolateral pathway transmits pain and temperature information from the body.

The anterolateral pathway starts at receptors, crosses at the spinal cord level, synapses in the thalamus, and ends in the somatosensory cortex.

The thalamus acts as a relay center, directing sensory input from different pathways to specific regions of the somatosensory cortex.

The thalamus helps to identify the type and location of stimuli, ensuring we can perceive sensations accurately.

The part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the "fight or flight" response, preparing the body for stressful situations.

The part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the "rest and digest" response, promoting relaxation and energy conservation.

The "third division" of the autonomic nervous system, controlling the digestive system.

The primary function of the sympathetic division is to prepare the body for stressful situations.

The sympathetic division increases heart rate and blood pressure, dilates pupils, redirects blood flow to muscles, stimulates glucose release, and inhibits digestion.

The primary function of the parasympathetic division is to promote relaxation, energy conservation, and recovery after stress.

The parasympathetic division decreases heart rate and blood pressure, promotes digestion and nutrient absorption, conserves energy, and constricts pupils.

The main function of the enteric nervous system is to regulate the gastrointestinal tract.

The enteric nervous system regulates food movement through the digestive tract (motility), controls the secretion of digestive enzymes, and independently regulates digestive processes while communicating with the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

The sympathetic trunk ganglia are located along both sides of the vertebral column.

A pathway consisting of neurons that transmits signals from the brain to the muscles, controlling voluntary movements.

A pathway that helps control muscles in the trunk and core, contributing to posture and balance.

The upper motor neuron (UMN) in the Lateral Corticospinal Tract originates in the primary motor cortex and crosses over (decussates) in the medulla oblongata.

The lower motor neuron (LMN) in the Lateral Corticospinal Tract synapses at the ventral horn of the spinal cord and innervates appendicular muscles.

The UMN in the Ventral Corticospinal Tract originates in the primary motor cortex and, unlike the lateral tract, decussates and synapses at the ventral horn of the spinal cord.

The LMN in the Ventral Corticospinal Tract synapses at the ventral horn of the spinal cord and innervates axial muscles.

An interruption of the flow of electrical signals in the spinal cord at the level of injury, affecting both sensory and motor functions below the injury site.

A rapid, involuntary response to a stimulus that occurs without conscious thought, involving a sensory neuron, a motor neuron, and sometimes an interneuron.

The part of the reflex arc that receives the signal from the sensory neuron and transmits it to the motor neuron, sometimes with an interneuron involved.

The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary bodily functions like heart rate, digestion, and respiration, operating below conscious control.

A collection of sympathetic ganglia that extend parallel to the vertebral column, connected by nerve fibers.

Sympathetic ganglia located in the abdominopelvic cavity responsible for innervating viscera.

A modified sympathetic ganglion located within the adrenal glands, releasing neurotransmitters (epinephrine and norepinephrine) into the blood.

Postganglionic neurons synapse near the target organ, outside of it. This is typical of parasympathetic ganglia.

Postganglionic neurons synapse directly within the target organ itself, as seen in the digestive system.

The brain and spinal cord, responsible for integrating and processing nervous information. They are protected by the meninges.

All neural tissue outside the CNS, responsible for carrying information to and from the CNS.

The division of the nervous system responsible for carrying motor information away from the CNS towards the PNS, causing muscle contraction.

The division of the nervous system responsible for collecting sensory information (stimuli) from the body and transmitting it to the CNS.

A group of neuron cell bodies located in the PNS.

A bundle of axons in the PNS.

The junction between a neuron and another cell, allowing communication through neurotransmitter release.

A pathway that helps control muscles in the trunk and core, contributing to posture and balance.

The nervous system's basic unit, allowing for quick responses to stimuli without involving the brain.

The part of the reflex arc that receives the signal from the sensory neuron and transmits it to the motor neuron, sometimes with an interneuron involved.

Motor pathways carry signals from the brain to muscles, allowing for movement.

Sensory pathways transmit signals from the body to the brain, giving us information about our surroundings.

Gray matter is where information is processed and integrated, containing cell bodies (nuclei) of neurons.

White matter contains axons that transmit information between different parts of the nervous system.

The pyramidal tracts are responsible for voluntary muscle movements. They involve two neurons: upper motor neurons (originate in the brain) and lower motor neurons (end at the muscle).

The dorsal root ganglion contains the cell bodies of sensory neurons. It's where sensory information is collected before being transmitted to the spinal cord.

The ventral horn of the spinal cord houses the cell bodies of motor neurons, which send signals to muscles.

The basal nuclei help refine and coordinate movements, making them smooth and precise.

The cerebellum plays a crucial role in coordinating movements, maintaining balance, and coordinating muscle activity.

Nerve plexuses (brachial and lumbosacral) are networks of nerves that contribute to motor pathways. They allow for complex movements in the limbs.

Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cells in the Central Nervous System (CNS). They perform various functions, including maintaining the blood-brain barrier, regulating neurotransmitter levels, providing structural support to neurons, storing energy, regulating the extracellular environment, stimulating myelin production, and aiding in the repair of damaged nerve cells.

Ependymal cells line the ventricles of the brain and are involved in the production and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). They contribute to the formation of the choroid plexus, the structure responsible for CSF production.

Oligodendrocytes are glial cells in the CNS responsible for creating the myelin sheath, a fatty covering that insulates axons and enhances signal transmission. A single oligodendrocyte can myelinate multiple axons. They also produce growth-inhibitory proteins that prevent the regeneration of damaged axons in the CNS.

Schwann cells, also known as neurolemmocytes, are specialized glial cells in the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) that wrap around axons to form the myelin sheath. They help to insulate axons and promote faster signal transmission.

Satellite cells are flat cells that surround neuron cell bodies in ganglia within the PNS. They act as a protective barrier, separating cell bodies from interstitial fluid, regulating ion concentrations, and facilitating nutrient and waste exchange between neurons and their environment.

Somatic efferent neurons are motor neurons that carry signals from the CNS to skeletal muscles, allowing for voluntary control of movement.

Somatic afferent neurons transmit sensory information from receptors in the skin, muscles, and joints to the CNS, allowing us to perceive touch, temperature, pain, and body position.

Visceral efferent neurons carry motor commands from the CNS to smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands, controlling involuntary functions such as digestion, heart rate, and gland secretions.

Visceral afferent neurons carry sensory information from internal organs, blood vessels, and viscera to the CNS, providing information about the internal environment.

Sympathetic ganglia found in the abdominopelvic cavity, responsible for innervating viscera (internal organs). They control functions like digestion and blood flow to the gut.