Cells
This basic cell type of the nervous system transmits signals throughout the body.
What is a neuron?
When a neuron is stimulated, this rapid change in electrical charge occurs along the axon.
What is an action potential?
This largest part of the brain is responsible for higher-order functions like thought and action.
What is the cerebrum?
Located in the center of the spinal cord, this structure contains cerebrospinal fluid and helps protect the cord.
What is the central canal?
This is the outermost layer of the meninges, the thick and durable membrane that protects the brain and spinal cord.
What is the dura mater?
This part of the neuron receives incoming signals from other neurons.
What are dendrites?
These chemical messengers are released into the synapse to communicate between neurons.
What are neurotransmitters?
This region of the brain controls basic life support functions such as breathing.
What is the brain stem?
This region of the spinal cord is larger in diameter to accommodate nerves supplying the arms.
What is the cervical enlargement?
CSF is produced by this network of cells located within the brain’s ventricles.
What is the choroid plexus?
This insulating material allows faster transmission of signals along axons.
What is myelin?
This electrical charge difference of -70mV across a neuron’s membrane is essential for nerve impulse transmission.
What is the resting potential?
This region at the back of the brain coordinates balance and fine motor skills.
What is the cerebellum?
These regions of the spinal cord gray matter contain cell bodies for ANS neurons in the thoracic region of the spinal cord.
What are lateral horns?
This space, located between the arachnoid mater and pia mater, is filled with cerebrospinal fluid and cushions the brain and spinal cord.
What is the subarachnoid space?
Known as the brain’s “clean-up crew,” these glial cells act as immune defenders, removing debris and damaged cells.
What are microglia?
This causes repolarization of the neuron.
What is the opening of potassium channels?
This lobe of the cerebrum is associated with reasoning, planning, and problem-solving.
What is the frontal lobe?
These bundles of nerve fibers in the spinal cord transmit sensory information to the brain.
What are ascending tracts?
This narrow passage allows CSF to flow between the third and fourth ventricles.
What is the cerebral aqueduct?
This glial cell type creates the blood-brain barrier, regulating the movement of substances between blood and brain. It also supports and controls the neuron's environment in the CNS.
What are astrocytes?
This causes hyperpolarization of the dendrites.
What is an inhibitory postsynaptic potential?
This region consists of axons connecting the right and left cerebral hemispheres.
What is the corpus callosum?
The spinal cord extends from the brainstem to this vertebral level in adults.
What is L1 or L2?
CSF is primarily reabsorbed into the bloodstream through these structures in the dural sinuses.
What are arachnoid granulations (or arachnoid villi)?