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Nervous tissue

Terms in this set (63)

Nervous system
The bodily system that in vertebrates is made up of the brain and spinal cord, nerves, ganglia, and parts of the receptor organs and that receives and interprets stimuli and transmits impulses to the effector organs.
Central Nervous system
A subdivision of the human nervous system comprising the brain and spinal cord. Transmits & receives messages to & from the PNS. Center for processing and coordinating information
Neurons
Individual cells in the nervous system that receive, integrate, and transmit electrical signals.
Neuroglia
Support cells for neurons; responsible for functions such as holding neurons in place, supplying neurons with oxygen and nutrients, insulating neurons from other neurons, destroying pathogens, and removing dead neurons
Cerebrospinal fluid
A clear fluid the circulates around through the brain and spinal cord that helps to physically support the brain and act as a shock absorber, and exchanges nutrients and wastes within the brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral nervous system
The sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body
Cranial nerves
Part of the PNS. Twelve pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the brain with regard to the head and neck (except the vagus nerve)
Nerve plexus
Ventral rami of adjacent spinal nerves that blend their fibers and produce a series of compound nerve trunks.
In all regions of spine except thoracic
Enteric nervous system
The nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract. It controls secretion and motility within teh Gi tract, and is linked to the central nervous system.
Somatic nervous system
Subdivision of the motor division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the voluntary movement of skeletal muscles
Autonomic nervous system
A subdivision of the peripheral nervous system. Controls involuntary activity of visceral muscles and internal organs and glands. further divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic.
Sympathetic nervous system
A subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that activates nerves, glands and visceral muscles in times of stress or threat (prepares the body for action)
Parasympathetic nervous system
The division of the autonomic nervous system known as the 'resting and digesting' system. Involved in control of involuntary, vegetative functions, mediated largely by the vagus nerve.
Sensory neuron
Afferent neurons; neurons that carry messages from sensory organs to the brain and spinal cords
Motor neurons
Efferent neurons; neurons that carry messages from spinal cord/brain to muscles and glands
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