CLASSWORK - Ch. 7.6 Nervous System Key Terms
autonomic nervous system
autonomic nervous system: The part of the peripheral nervous system that contains the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, which work together to control involuntary body functions.
cerebrum
cerebrum (seh-ree'-brum): The largest and highest section of the brain; responsible for reasoning, thought, memory, judgment, speech, sensation, sight, smell, hearing, and voluntary body movement.
midbrain
midbrain: The section located below the cerebrum at the top of the brainstem; responsible for conducting impulses between brain parts and for certain eye and auditory reflexes.
peripheral nervous system
peripheral nervous system (PNS) (peh-rif'-eh-ral): Consists of the nerves and has two divisions: the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
thalamus
thalamus: Acts as a relay center and directs sensory impulses to the cerebrum; also allows conscious recognition of pain and temperature.
brain
brain: A mass of nerve tissue well protected by membranes and the cranium, or skull.
diencephalon
diencephalon: The section located between the cerebrum and midbrain that contains the thalamus and hypothalamus.
nerves
nerves: A combination of many nerve fibers located outside the brain and spinal cord.
pons
pons (ponz): The section located below the midbrain and in the brainstem; responsible for conducting messages to other parts of the brain, for certain reflex actions (chewing, tasting, saliva production), and for assisting with respiration.
ventricles
ventricles: Four hollow spaces in the brain that connect with each other and the subarachnoid space; they are filled with cerebrospinal fluid.
central nervous system
central nervous system (CNS): Consists of the brain and spinal cord.
hypothalamus
hypothalamus: Regulates and controls the autonomic nervous system, temperature, appetite, water balance, sleep, and blood vessel constriction and dilation; also involved in emotions.
nervous system
nervous system: A complex, highly organized system that coordinates all the activities of the body.
somatic nervous system:
somatic nervous system: The division of the peripheral nervous system that carries messages between the CNS and the body.
cerebellum
cerebellum (seh"-reh-bell'-um): The section below the back of the cerebrum; it is responsible for muscle coordination, balance, posture, and muscle tone.
medulla oblongata
medulla oblongata (meh-due'- laob-lawn-got'-ah): The lowest part of the brainstem; connects with the spinal cord and is responsible for regulating heartbeat, respiration, swallowing, coughing, and blood pressure.
neuron
neuron (nur'-on): The basic structural unit of the nervous system, or nerve cell.
spinal cord
spinal cord: Continues down from the medulla oblongata and is surrounded and protected by the vertebrae; responsible for many reflex actions and for carrying sensory (afferent) messages to the brain and motor (efferent) messages from the brain.
cerebrospinal fluid (
cerebrospinal fluid (seh-ree"- broh-spy'-nal fluid): A clear, colorless fluid that fills the ventricles and subarachnoid space. It serves as a shock absorber, carries nutrients, and helps remove metabolic products and wastes.
meninges
meninges (singular: meninx) (meh-nin'-jeez): Three membranes (dura mater, arachnoid membrane, and pia mater) that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord.
parasympathetic
parasympathetic (par"-ah-sim”- pah-thet'-ik): The 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.
sympathetic
sympathetic: The division of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body to act in times of emergency by increasing heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure (the "fight or flight" response).