Podcast
Questions and Answers
The ______ nervous system prepares the body for stress or emergency situations by increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
The ______ nervous system prepares the body for stress or emergency situations by increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
sympathetic
The ______ nervous system promotes recovery and conserves energy, decreasing heart rate and blood pressure.
The ______ nervous system promotes recovery and conserves energy, decreasing heart rate and blood pressure.
parasympathetic
Under the influence of the sympathetic nervous system, pupils ______ to improve vision.
Under the influence of the sympathetic nervous system, pupils ______ to improve vision.
dilate
The sympathetic nervous system inhibits ______ to redirect energy to essential organs during a crisis.
The sympathetic nervous system inhibits ______ to redirect energy to essential organs during a crisis.
Signup and view all the answers
The parasympathetic nervous system stimulates ______ and other metabolic activities to aid in digestion.
The parasympathetic nervous system stimulates ______ and other metabolic activities to aid in digestion.
Signup and view all the answers
The sympathetic system ______ heart rate while the parasympathetic system ______ it.
The sympathetic system ______ heart rate while the parasympathetic system ______ it.
Signup and view all the answers
During times of stress, the sympathetic nervous system causes bronchodilation, whereas the parasympathetic nervous system results in ______.
During times of stress, the sympathetic nervous system causes bronchodilation, whereas the parasympathetic nervous system results in ______.
Signup and view all the answers
The sympathetic system ______ digestion, while the parasympathetic system ______ it.
The sympathetic system ______ digestion, while the parasympathetic system ______ it.
Signup and view all the answers
In response to a threat, pupils ______ due to sympathetic activation, while under calm conditions, they ______ due to parasympathetic activation.
In response to a threat, pupils ______ due to sympathetic activation, while under calm conditions, they ______ due to parasympathetic activation.
Signup and view all the answers
Blood vessels ______ during sympathetic activation to prioritize muscles, while they ______ when the parasympathetic system is activated.
Blood vessels ______ during sympathetic activation to prioritize muscles, while they ______ when the parasympathetic system is activated.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Key Functions of the Nervous System
- Sensory Input: Detects internal and external changes (e.g., temperature, pain, pressure)
- Integration: Processes and interprets sensory input to determine appropriate response
- Motor Output: Activates muscles or glands to respond to stimuli
- Homeostasis: Maintains a stable internal environment
- Higher Mental Functions: Includes memory, reasoning, emotions, and learning
Divisions of the Nervous System
- Central Nervous System (CNS):
- Brain: Processing center for responses
- Spinal Cord: Pathway for information to and from the brain; coordinates reflex actions
- Peripheral Nervous System (PNS):
- Somatic Nervous System: Voluntary control of skeletal muscles
- Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): Involuntary control of vital functions
Autonomic Nervous System Functions
- Sympathetic Nervous System (Fight or Flight):
- Prepares the body for stress or emergency situations
- Key effects:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Dilated pupils (improved vision)
- Bronchodilation (increased lung airflow)
- Inhibition of digestion (redirects energy to other organs)
- Increased glucose release from the liver (energy)
- Parasympathetic Nervous System (Rest and Digest):
- Promotes recovery and conserves energy
- Key effects:
- Decreased heart rate and blood pressure
Physiology of Balance and Taste
- Vestibular System (Inner Ear): Locates in semicircular canals and vestibule
- Semicircular Canals: Detect rotational movements (dynamic equilibrium)
- Utricle and Saccule: Detect linear acceleration and head position (static equilibrium)
- Sensory information is provided by hair cells in fluid-filled structures.
- Central Nervous System Integration:
- Vestibular signals travel via the vestibulocochlear (cranial nerve VIII) to the brainstem and cerebellum.
- These areas process information and coordinate reflexes to maintain balance and posture
- Physiology of Taste (Gustation)
- Taste Buds: Found mainly on tongue, but also on soft palate, pharynx, and epiglottis.
- Located within structures called papillae (fungiform, circumvallate and foliate papillae).
- 5 basic taste modalities: Sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami
Acute Pyelonephritis
- Definition: A bacterial infection of the kidneys (part of the upper urinary tract)
- Causes: Usually begins as a bladder infection (cystitis) where bacteria ascend to kidneys
- Common pathogen: Escherichia coli
- Pathophysiology:
- Untreated or poorly managed UTI
- Bacteria ascend and cause tissue damage
- Inflammation, swelling, and interstitial inflammation, possibly abscesses
Symptoms of Acute Pyelonephritis
- Localized Symptoms: Flank pain, dysuria, increased urinary frequency and urgency, haematuria, cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Systemic Symptoms: Fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or confusion
Risk factors
- Female sex
- Pregnancy
- Urinary tract obstruction
- Diabetes mellitus
- Recent urinary catheterisation or instrumentation
Peripheral Neuropathy
- Definition: Condition resulting from damage to peripheral nerves (transmit signals between the central nervous system and the rest of the body; motor, sensory and autonomic nerves)
- Types: Mononeuropathy (damage to a single nerve), polyneuropathy (damage to multiple nerves), autonomic neuropathy
- Causes: Metabolic (diabetes, hypothyroidism) infections, toxins, autoimmune diseases, trauma or compression, nutritional deficiencies, hereditary, or other conditions
Glaucoma
- Definition: A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, usually due to increased intraocular pressure
- Damage: Progressive, can lead to irreversible vision loss
- Causes of glaucoma
- Primary Open-Angle (most common): Chronic, slow progression, and reduced drainage efficiency in the trabecular meshwork
- Angle-Closure: Acute and sudden, blockage of drainage angle
- Secondary: Caused by other conditions or factors (eye injury, inflammation, medications, pregnancy)
- Congenital: Present at birth
Stroke
- Definition: Interruption of blood supply to a part of the brain (ischaemic stroke) or a burst blood vessel (haemorrhagic stroke), leading to brain tissue damage
- Initial Assessment: FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time)
- Expanded Assessment: Level of consciousness, pupil response, blood glucose, gait, coordination, vision, neurological signs, blood pressure, speech and cognitive assessment
Septic Shock
- Definition: A subset of sepsis, characterized by persistent hypotension despite fluid resuscitation, elevated serum lactate, and requires vasopressor support to maintain mean arterial pressure
- Pathophysiology: Infection triggers an excessive immune response, releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines that causes vasodilation, capillary leak, impaired tissue perfusion, and organ dysfunction
- Recognition features: Early symptoms (fever, tachycardia, tachypnoea), progression to septic shock (hypotension, poor perfusion signs), critical indicators (lactate, need for vasopressors)
Meningitis
- Definition: Inflammation of the protective membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord (caused by bacterial, viral, fungal, or other infections)
- Causes: Bacterial (most critical; Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Listeria monocytogenes) or viral (often less severe; enteroviruses, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus)
- Symptoms: Classic triad (fever, neck stiffness, altered mental status); severe headache, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, seizures, non-blanching purpuric rash
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the key functions and divisions of the nervous system, including sensory input, integration, and motor output. Understand the distinctions between the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as the autonomic functions that regulate involuntary actions. This quiz will test your knowledge of how the nervous system maintains homeostasis and responds to stimuli.
