Nervous System

• Adrenergic fibers


  Nerve fibers that secrete norepinephrine
• Afferent neuron


  Sensory nerve that carries impulses toward the central nervous system
• Alpha-adrenergic receptors


  Receptors to norepinephrine that generally produce an excitatory response
• Adrenergic fibers


  Nerve fibers that secrete norepinephrine
• Autonomic nervous system


  Subdivision of the nervous system responsible for regulating activities that maintain homeostasis; also called visceral motor system
• Axon


  Fiber extending from a neuron's cell body that conducts impulses
• Beta-adrenergic receptors


  Receptors to norepinephrine that generally produce an inhibitory response
• Alpha-adrenergic receptors


  Receptors to norepinephrine that generally produce an excitatory response
• Brainstem


  Stem-like portion of the brain that connects the cerebral hemispheres to the spinal cord; consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata
• Autonomic nervous system


  Subdivision of the nervous system responsible for regulating activities that maintain homeostasis; also called visceral motor system
• Central nervous system


  Portion of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord
• Axon


  Fiber extending from a neuron's cell body that conducts impulses
• Cerebellum


  Portion of the brain responsible for coordination of voluntary movement and balance
• Beta-adrenergic receptors


  Receptors to norepinephrine that generally produce an inhibitory response
• Cerebral cortex


  The surface of the cerebrum consisting of a thin layer of gray matter
• Brainstem


  Stem-like portion of the brain that connects the cerebral hemispheres to the spinal cord; consists of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata
• Cerebrospinal fluid


  Clear, colorless fluid that fills the brain's ventricles and central canal and also bathes the outside of the brain and spinal cord
• Central nervous system


  Portion of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord
• Cerebrum


  Largest portion of the brain
• Cerebellum


  Portion of the brain responsible for coordination of voluntary movement and balance
• Cholinergic fibers


  Nerve fibers that secrete acetylcholine
• Cerebral cortex


  The surface of the cerebrum consisting of a thin layer of gray matter
• Cranial nerves


  Nerves of the peripheral nervous system that arise directly from the brain (instead of from the spinal cord)
• Cerebrospinal fluid


  Clear, colorless fluid that fills the brain's ventricles and central canal and also bathes the outside of the brain and spinal cord
• Dermatome


  A specific area of the skin innervated by a spinal nerve
• Cerebrum


  Largest portion of the brain
• Efferent neuron


  Motor nerve that carries impulses away from the central nervous system
• Cholinergic fibers


  Nerve fibers that secrete acetylcholine
• Epidural space


  Small space between the outer covering of the spinal cord and the vertebrae
• Cranial nerves


  Nerves of the peripheral nervous system that arise directly from the brain (instead of from the spinal cord)
• Frontal lobe


  Portion of the cerebrum responsible for decision making, reasoning, memory, and voluntary movements
• Dermatome


  A specific area of the skin innervated by a spinal nerve
• Gray matter


  Nervous tissue containing mostly cell bodies of motor neurons and interneurons
• Efferent neuron


  Motor nerve that carries impulses away from the central nervous system
• Hypothalamus


  The bottom half of the diencephalon of the brain, which is responsible for many vital body functions
• Epidural space


  Small space between the outer covering of the spinal cord and the vertebrae
• Limbic system


  Complex set of structures in the brain responsible for emotion and learning
• Frontal lobe


  Portion of the cerebrum responsible for decision making, reasoning, memory, and voluntary movements
• Medulla oblongata


  Attaches brain to spinal cord; contains centers that govern heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing
• Gray matter


  Nervous tissue containing mostly cell bodies of motor neurons and interneurons