Nervous System Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the Enteric Nervous System (ENS)?

To regulate heart rate and blood pressure

To operate independently while communicating with the CNS (correct)

To solely control muscle movement

To process sensory information from the environment

Which plane of orientation divides the brain into right and left halves?

Sagittal plane (correct)

Coronal plane

Horizontal plane

Transverse plane

What characterizes white matter in the brain?

It exclusively processes sensory information

It primarily consists of cell bodies and dendrites

It contains mainly myelinated axons (correct)

It has a greater amount of blood vessels than gray matter

Which of the following best describes the midsagittal view of the brain?

It provides a view that splits the brain directly in the center Signup and view all the answers

What is the main distinction between gray matter and white matter?

Gray matter is unmyelinated while white matter is myelinated Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the somatic nervous system?

Connects the brain to major muscles and sensory systems Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a division of the autonomic nervous system?

Cranial nervous system Signup and view all the answers

Which nervous system is primarily responsible for preparing the body for action?

Sympathetic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the collection of axons bundled together outside the central nervous system?

Nerves Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the nervous system manages the processes related to digestion?

Enteric nervous system Signup and view all the answers

How many pairs of cranial nerves emerge from the brain?

12 Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic action of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Promotes digestion Signup and view all the answers

Which system primarily connects the spinal cord to the body?

Somatic nervous system Signup and view all the answers

What role does the thalamus play in the brain?

Acts as a sensory relay station Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is primarily involved in the recall of episodic memory?

Fornix Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the pineal gland?

Regulates sleep through secession of melatonin Signup and view all the answers

What does the hypothalamus regulate?

Homeostasis including hunger and body temperature Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the frontal lobe?

Higher level cognition and motor control Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is associated with processing auditory information?

Inferior Colliculus Signup and view all the answers

Which structure separates the left and right cerebral hemispheres?

Longitudinal Fissure Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the cerebellum?

Coordinates movement and balance Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the pia mater?

It is the delicate innermost layer Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the brain is involved in motor impulse control?

Subthalamic Nucleus Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of the mammillary bodies?

Aids in long-term memory consolidation Signup and view all the answers

Which area is primarily responsible for language comprehension?

Wernicke’s Area Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the postcentral gyrus?

Touch sensation Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is involved in decision making and emotional responses?

Orbitofrontal Cortex Signup and view all the answers

What primarily makes white matter appear white?

Presence of myelin Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is primarily involved in emotional regulation and pain?

Cingulate Gyrus Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Nervous System

The Nervous System consists of two main divisions: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord.
The PNS includes all parts of the nervous system outside the skull and spinal column.
Nerves are bundles of axons located outside the CNS.

The Peripheral Nervous System

The PNS is divided into the somatic nervous system, the autonomic nervous system, and the enteric nervous system.
The somatic nervous system connects the brain and major muscles and sensory systems.
The autonomic nervous system controls the viscera (internal organs).
The enteric nervous system is a local network of neurons that governs the function of the gut.

The Somatic Nervous System

The somatic nervous system consists of the cranial nerves and the spinal nerves.
The twelve pairs of cranial nerves emerge directly from the brain.
The 31 pairs of spinal nerves emerge from the spinal cord.

The Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system includes the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric systems.
The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for action (fight or flight) and increases blood pressure, heart rate, and pupil dilation.
The parasympathetic nervous system promotes rest and digest functions, often acting in opposition to the sympathetic nervous system.
The enteric nervous system, often referred to as the "second brain", operates largely independently of the CNS, though it does communicate with it.

The Brain: Surface Anatomy

The brain can be viewed from six different angles: anterior, posterior, dorsal, ventral, lateral, and midsagittal.
The three customary orientations for viewing the brain are horizontal, sagittal, and coronal.
The horizontal plane divides the brain into an upper (dorsal) and lower (ventral) part.
The sagittal plane divides the brain into right and left halves (medial towards midline, lateral away from the midline).
The coronal plane divides the brain into front (anterior) and back (posterior) regions.

Brain Tissue: White Matter and Gray Matter

White matter consists mostly of axons with white myelin sheaths.
Gray matter contains more cell bodies and dendrites, which lack myelin.

Specialized Support Systems for the Brain

The brain and spinal cord are protected by three protective membranes called meninges.
The dura mater is the tough outermost layer.
The arachnoid is a web-like substance that cushions the brain.
The pia mater is the delicate innermost layer.

The Brain: Structures and Functions

The cerebral cortex is the outermost layer of the brain responsible for higher level processing.
The longitudinal fissure separates the left and right cerebral hemispheres.
The frontal lobe is involved in higher level cognition and motor control.
The parietal lobe processes spatial information.
The central sulcus divides the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe.
The temporal lobe is involved in audition (hearing), olfaction (smell), and aspects of learning.
The Sylvian (lateral) fissure separates the temporal lobe from the frontal and parietal lobes.
The occipital lobe processes visual information.
The precentral gyrus is the primary motor cortex (movement control) located anterior to the central sulcus.
The postcentral gyrus is the primary somatosensory cortex (touch) located posterior to the central sulcus.
The prefrontal cortex is involved in cognitive control, regulates attention, and problem-solving.
The orbitofrontal cortex is involved in decision making and influences emotional responses.
The auditory cortex processes auditory (sound) stimuli.
Broca's area is involved in speech production.
Wernicke's area is involved in language comprehension.
The cingulate gyrus regulates emotion and pain.
The corpus callosum is a nerve fiber tract that connects the two cerebral hemispheres.
The fornix aids in the recall of episodic memory.
The thalamus is the sensory "relay" station, sending sensory information to the cortex.
The hypothalamus regulates homeostasis, hunger/thirst, body temperature, and controls the pituitary gland.
The pineal gland is a secretory gland that releases melatonin.
The superior colliculus receives visual information.
The inferior colliculus receives auditory information.
The midbrain integrates sensory information and helps to respond to sound.
The pons is involved in breathing, heart rate, sleep, and dreaming.
The medulla regulates breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
The cerebellum regulates movement, coordination, balance, and posture.
The olfactory bulbs provide receptors for smell.
The optic chiasm is the point where the two optic nerves meet and directs visual stimuli.
The mammillary bodies aid in long-term memory consolidation.

The Basal Ganglia

The basal ganglia is a group of structures involved in motor control and movement.
The caudate nucleus is involved in motor planning and integrates spatial information with motor behavior.
The putamen is involved in the general execution of all movements.
The globus pallidus controls conscious and proprioceptive awareness/movements.
The substantia nigra modulates movements and produces dopamine.
The subthalamic nucleus is involved in motor impulse control and stopping movements.

The Limbic System

The limbic system includes structures important for emotion, memory, and cognition.
The amygdala regulates emotion (fear and aggressive behavior).
The hippocampus facilitates learning and memory.
The stria terminals controls autonomic, neuroendocrine, and behavioral responses.
The septal nuclei play a role in pleasure, reward, and reinforcement.

The Ventricular System

The cerebral ventricles are a system of cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
The lateral ventricles circulate nutrients to the brain and remove waste.
The third ventricle produces and secretes CSF.
The cerebral aqueduct connects the third and fourth ventricles.
The fourth ventricle is the main cushion and shock absorber for the brain.

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Description

Explore the intricacies of the nervous system, including its two main divisions: the central and peripheral nervous systems. Understand how the somatic and autonomic nervous systems function and learn about the roles of cranial and spinal nerves. This quiz will test your knowledge of these essential bodily systems.