Nervous system

• What are the two main classifications of the nervous system?

  Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
• What are the divisions of the peripheral nervous system?

  • Sensory (afferent) division
  • Somatic sensory division
  • Visceral sensory division
  • Motor (efferent) division
  • Somatic motor division
  • Visceral motor division
• What are the components of the central nervous system?

  Brain and spinal cord
• What is the role of the autonomic nervous system?

  Regulates involuntary body functions
• What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

  Sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions
• What is the primary function of the nervous system?

  To carry signals to and from the brain
• What are the three main functions of the nervous system?

  1. Sensory input: Monitors changes in the environment
  2. Integration: Processes and interprets sensory input
  3. Motor output: Responds through muscles or glands
• What are the three connective tissue membranes that invest the brain and spinal cord?

  Dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater
• What is the role of the spinal cord?

  Connects the brain to the body and coordinates reflexes
• What is the posterior median sulcus?

  A shallow groove on the spinal cord's dorsal surface
• What is the anterior median fissure?


  A deeper groove on the spinal cord's anterior surface
• How is the spinal cord integrated with the brain?

  It is structurally and functionally connected
• What does the peripheral nervous system consist of?

  Nerve cells that communicate with the CNS
• What does the sensory (afferent) division do?

  Carries sensory signals to the CNS
• What is the function of the somatic sensory division?

  Carries signals from skin, muscles, and joints
• What does the visceral sensory division carry signals from?

  Viscera of thoracic and abdominal cavities
• What does the motor (efferent) division do?

  Carries signals from the CNS to effectors
• What is the role of the somatic motor division?

  Controls voluntary muscle contractions
• What does the visceral motor division control?

  Glands, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle
• What is the sympathetic division's effect on the body?

  Increases heart rate and respiratory airflow
• What is the parasympathetic division's effect on the body?

  Slows down heart rate and stimulates digestion
• What are the two subdivisions of the peripheral nervous system?

  • Sensory (afferent) division
  • Motor (efferent) division
• What are the signs of motor nerve damage?

  Loss of movement control and muscle cramps
• What are the signs of sensory system damage?

  Inability to feel touch and numbness
• What is a somatic reflex?

  • Provides involuntary control of muscles
  • Employs a reflex arc:

  1. Somatic receptors
  2. Afferent nerve fibers
  3. Interneurons
  4. Efferent nerve fibers
  5. Skeletal muscles
• What are the components of a reflex arc?

  Receptor, afferent neuron, integration center
• What is the difference between monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflexes?

  Monosynaptic has one synapse; polysynaptic has more
• What is the purpose of the withdrawal reflex?

  To protect the body from damaging stimuli
• What are the two subsystems of the autonomic nervous system?

  • Sympathetic division
  • Parasympathetic division
• What are the functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions?

  • Sympathetic: Mobilization and increased metabolism
  • Parasympathetic: Routine maintenance and calming effects
• What is the structure of autonomic pathways?

  Two neurons arranged in series
• What neurotransmitter is released by all parasympathetic fibers?

  Acetylcholine
• What neurotransmitter do most sympathetic postganglionic fibers secrete?

  Norepinephrine
• What are cholinergic neurons?

  Neurons that release acetylcholine
• What are adrenergic neurons?

  Neurons that release norepinephrine
• What are the functions of the cerebral cortex?

  • Facilitates cognitive functions: reasoning, planning, decision-making
  • Processes sensory data: sight and sound
  • Essential for language, memory, attention, and consciousness