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The Nervous System. Vocabulary Review. Peripheral nervous system Cranial and spinal nerves outside the central nervous system Central nervous system Consists of the brain and spinal cord Neuron A nerve cell Nerve impulse Electrochemical process that communicates within the nervous system
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The Nervous System Vocabulary Review
Peripheral nervous system • Cranial and spinal nerves outside the central nervous system • Central nervous system • Consists of the brain and spinal cord • Neuron • A nerve cell • Nerve impulse • Electrochemical process that communicates within the nervous system • Dendrite • Part of the neuron that receives input from other neurons • Axon • Carries nerve impulses away from the cell body of a neuron
Nerve • Bundle of axons or nerve cell fibers • Sensory receptor • Specialized structure associated with the peripheral end of a sensory neuron specific to detecting a particular sensation and triggering a nerve impulse in response • Somatic nervous system • Motor pathways of the PNS that lead to skin and skeletal muscle • Autonomic nervous system • Portion of the PNS that controls organs (viscera), smooth, and cardiac muscle • Myelin • Fatty covering that protects and insulates an axon • Sensory neurons • Nerve composed of sensory nerve fibers • Interneurons • Link motor and sensory neurons in the CNS • Motor neurons • Transmits impulses from the CNS to effector muscles or glands
Nerve pathway • Route a nerve impulse travels • Synapse • Functional connection between an axon and a dendrite; wireless connection between neurons • Neurotransmitter • Chemical secreted at the end of an axon on to another neuron or effector muscle or gland • Reflex arc • Nerve pathway that forms the structural and functional basis for a reflex • Reflex • An automatic response to a stimulus • Meninges • 3 membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord • Spinal nerves • Nerves that branch from the spinal cord; part of the PNS
Cerebrum • Larger portion of the brain that provides higher level mental functions • Diencephalon • Region of the brain containing the thalamus and hypothalamus; acts as a relay station for sensory input, as well as to maintain homeostasis • Brain stem • Includes the medulla oblongata, the pons, and the midbrain; connects brain to spinal cord • Cerebellum • Coordinates skeletal muscle movements