nervous system functional anatomy

• What types of fibers are categorized as afferent fibers?

  Somatosensory fibers and viscerosensory fibers

  
• What types of fibers are categorized as efferent fibers?

  Somatomotor fibers and visceromotor fibers

  
• What structures are innervated by somatic motor fibers?

  • Skeletal muscle

  
• What structures are innervated by visceral motor fibers?

  • Glands
  • Smooth muscle
  • Cardiac muscle

  
• What receptors provide input to somatosensory fibers?

  • Joints
  • Skin
  • Skeletal muscle

  
• What structures provide input to viscerosensory fibers?

  • Viscera
  • Vessels

  
• What are the main components of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

  • Joints
  • Skin
  • Skeletal muscle

  
• Why is the peripheral nervous system (PNS) important to the body?

  The PNS connects the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body, allowing the CNS to receive sensory information and send motor commands to muscles and glands.

  
• What are somatosensory fibers?

  Fibers that transmit sensory information from the somatosensory system to the CNS.

  
• What type of fibers carry signals from receptors to the CNS?

  Afferent fibers

  
• What are somatomotor fibers?

  Fibers that carry motor signals from the CNS to skeletal muscles.

  
• What type of fibers carry signals from the CNS to muscles and glands?

  Efferent fibers

  
• What are viscerosensory fibers?

  Fibers that transmit sensory information from the viscera to the CNS.

  
• What are visceromotor fibers?

  Fibers that carry motor signals from the CNS to glands, smooth muscles, and cardiac muscles.

  
• What are the main effector organs of visceromotor fibers?

  • Glands
  • Smooth muscles
  • Cardiac muscles

  
• What are the two main divisions of the peripheral nervous system?

  • Somatic nervous system
  • Autonomic nervous system

  
• Which nervous system controls voluntary skeletal muscle movements?

  Somatic nervous system

  
• What are the two branches of the autonomic nervous system?

  • Sympathetic nervous system
  • Parasympathetic nervous system

  
• Which branch of the autonomic nervous system promotes "rest-and-digest" functions?

  Parasympathetic nervous system

  
• Which branch of the autonomic nervous system is responsible for "fight-or-flight" responses?

  Sympathetic nervous system

  
• What are the two main components of a neuron?

  • Cell body (soma)
  • Axon

  
• What is the primary function of the cerebrum in the mammalian nervous system?

  Higher-order thinking and voluntary movements

  
• What does the cerebellum control in the nervous system?

  Coordination of movement and balance

  
• What are the roles of cranial nerves in the nervous system?

  • Transmit sensory information from the head and neck regions to the brain
  • Control the muscles of the head and neck

  
• What is the main function of the spinal cord?

  To transmit signals between the brain and the rest of the body

  
• What type of nerves are spinal nerves?

  Mixed nerves containing both sensory and motor fibers

  
• What is the significance of the spinal nerves branching out from the spinal cord?

  • Facilitate communication between the spinal cord and various body parts
  • Ensure efficient distribution of sensory and motor signals throughout the body

  
• What does a cross-section of the spinal cord reveal about its internal structure?

  It shows a central canal surrounded by white and gray matter columns

  
• Why is the gray matter darker in appearance compared to the white matter in a cross-section of the spinal cord?

  Because the gray matter contains more cell bodies, which are darker, while the white matter is primarily composed of myelinated axons, which are lighter

  
• What is the functional difference between the white and gray matter columns in the spinal cord?

  White matter facilitates the rapid transmission of signals through myelinated axons, whereas gray matter processes information within nerve cell bodies and synapses

  
• How does the arrangement of gray and white matter in the spinal cord facilitate its function?

  • Gray matter provides processing centers for integrating sensory and motor signals
  • White matter ensures efficient communication between gray matter centers and different body regions

  
• What is the role of a vertebra in the nervous system?

  To protect the spinal cord by enclosing it

  
• Why is the protection of the spinal cord crucial for the nervous system's function?

  It prevents damage to the spinal cord's delicate structures, which are essential for signal transmission between the brain and the body

  
• What are the two main components of the central nervous system?

  • Brain
  • Spinal cord

  
• What defines the peripheral nervous system?

  • Cranial nerves
  • Spinal nerves
  • Ganglia
  • Sensory receptors

  
• What is a ganglion in the nervous system?

  A group of nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system

  
• What is the function of ganglia in the peripheral nervous system?

  They act as relay centers for signals traveling to and from the central nervous system, allowing for integration and distribution of signals throughout the body

  
• What are the two main types of sensory receptors found in the peripheral nervous system?

  • Exteroceptors
  • Interoceptors

  
• What type of sensory receptors respond to external stimuli?

  Exteroceptors

  
• What type of sensory receptors respond to internal stimuli such as blood pressure?

  Interoceptors