Ch. 7.6 Nervous System Key Terms
Autonomic Nervous System
The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary, vital functions of internal organs, glands, and smooth muscles (e.g., heart rate, digestion, respiration).
Brain
The complex organ protected by the skull that serves as the primary control center of the nervous system.
Central Nervous System
The system division comprised of the brain and the spinal cord; it integrates and processes information.
Cerebellum
Located posterior to the brainstem; responsible for coordinating voluntary movements, balance, and posture.
Cerebrospinal Fluid
A clear fluid that circulates within the brain and spinal cord, providing cushioning, support, and nourishment.
Cerebrum
The largest part of the brain; responsible for higher functions like thought, language, and voluntary action.
Diencephalon
The part of the brain located between the cerebrum and the midbrain, primarily containing the thalamus and hypothalamus.
Hypothalamus
A small region of the diencephalon that controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, sleep, and links the nervous system to the endocrine system.
Medulla Oblongata
The lowest part of the brainstem; controls essential involuntary functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Meninges
The three layers of protective membranes (dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater) that cover the brain and spinal cord.
Midbrain
The uppermost part of the brainstem, involved in processing sight, hearing, and movement.
Nerves
Bundles of axons (nerve fibers) that transmit signals between the central nervous system and the rest of the body.
Nervous System
The organ system responsible for transmitting nerve impulses and coordinating the body's activities.
Neuron
The fundamental cellular unit of the nervous system, specialized to transmit electrical and chemical signals.
Parasympathetic
The division of the autonomic nervous system known as "rest-and-digest"; it conserves energy and slows down the heart rate.
Peripheral Nervous System
The nervous system division composed of all the nerves outside the CNS; it relays information between the CNS and the body.
Pons
Part of the brainstem that acts as a bridge for signals between the cerebrum and the cerebellum and is involved in respiration.
Somatic Nervous System
The division of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles and transmits sensory information.
Spinal Cord
A long, tubular structure of nerve tissue extending from the brainstem down the vertebral column; it carries signals between the brain and the body.
Sympathetic
The division of the autonomic nervous system known as "fight-or-flight"; it prepares the body for stressful or high-energy situations.
Thalamus
A large mass of gray matter in the diencephalon that acts as a major relay center for sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex.
Ventricles
A communicating network of cavities within the brain that produce and contain cerebrospinal fluid.