Ch. 7.5 Muscular System Key terms
A division of the peripheral nervous system that contains the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, which work together to control involuntary body functions and maintain a balance in the involuntary functions of the body.
autonomic nervous system
The largest and highest section of the brain. It is responsible for reasoning, thought, memory, judgment, speech, sensation, sight, smell, hearing, and voluntary body movement.
cerebrum
The section located below the cerebrum at the top of the brainstem. It is responsible for conducting impulses between brain parts and for certain eye and auditory reflexes.
midbrain
Consists of the nerves and has two divisions: the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
peripheral nervous system
A structure in the diencephalon that acts as a relay center and directs sensory impulses to the cerebrum. It also allows conscious recognition of pain and temperature.
thalamus
A mass of nerve tissue well protected by membranes and the cranium, or skull.
brain
The section located between the cerebrum and midbrain. It contains two structures: the thalamus and hypothalamus.
diencephalon
A combination of many nerve fibers located outside the brain and spinal cord.
nerves
The section located below the midbrain and in the brainstem. It is responsible for conducting messages to other parts of the brain; for certain reflex actions including chewing, tasting, and saliva production; and for assisting with respiration.
pons
Hollow spaces [in the brain] that connect with each other and with the space under the arachnoid membrane and are filled with... cerebrospinal fluid.
ventricles
Consists of the brain and spinal cord.
central nervouse system
A structure in the diencephalon that regulates and controls the autonomic nervous system, temperature, appetite, water balance, sleep, and blood vessel constriction and dilation... [and] is also involved in emotions
hypothalamus
A complex, highly organized system that coordinates all the activities of the body. This system enables the body to respond and adapt to changes that occur both inside and outside the body.
nervous system
A division of the peripheral nervous system that carries messages between the CNS and the body and consists of 12 pairs of cranial nerves... and 31 pairs of spinal nerves.
somatic nervous system
The section below the back of the cerebrum. It is responsible for muscle coordination, balance, posture, and muscle tone.
cerebellum
The lowest part of the brainstem. It connects with the spinal cord and is responsible for regulating heartbeat, respiration, swallowing, coughing, and blood pressure.
medulla oblongata
The basic structural unit of the nervous system, or nerve cell, which consists of a cell body containing a nucleus; nerve fibers, called dendrites... and a single nerve fiber, called an axon.
neuron
Continues down from the medulla oblongata and is responsible for many reflex actions and for carrying sensory (afferent) messages up to the brain and motor (efferent) messages from the brain to the nerves that go to the muscles and glands.
spinal cord
A clear, colorless fluid that fills the ventricles and subarachnoid space. It serves as a shock absorber to protect the brain and spinal cord, carries nutrients, and helps remove metabolic products and wastes.
cerebrospinal fluid
Three membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord (the dura mater, arachnoid membrane, and pia mater).
meninges
A division of the autonomic nervous system that counteracts the actions of the sympathetic system by slowing heart rate, decreasing respiration, lowering blood pressure, and increasing activity in the digestive tract.
parasympathetic
A division of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body to act by increasing heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure, and by slowing activity in the digestive tract... known as the fight or flight response.
sympathetic