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acetylcholine
Neurotransmitter chemical released at ends of nerve cells
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afferent nerve
carries messages toward the brain and spinal cord
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arachnoid membrane
middle layer of the three membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
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astrocyte
Glial cell that transports water and salts from capillaries
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autonomic nervous system
Nerves that control involuntary body functions of muscles, glands, and internal organs
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axon
Microscopic fiber that carries the nervous impulse along a nerve cell
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blood-brain barrier
Protective separation between the blood and brain cells that keeps substances (such as anticancer drugs) from penetrating capillary walls and entering the brain
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brain stem
Posterior portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord
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cauda equina
Collection of spinal nerves below the end of the spinal cord
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cell body
the part of a nerve cell that contains the nucleus
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central nervous system (CNS)
the brain and spinal cord
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cerebellum
the posterior part of the brain that coordinates muscle movements and maintains balance
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cerebral cortex
Outer region of the cerebrum; contains sheets of nerve cells; gray matter
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cerebrospinal fluid
Circulates throughout the brain and spinal cord
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cerebrum
The largest part of the brain; responsible for voluntary muscle activity, vision, speech, taste, hearing, thought, and memory
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cranial nerves
Twelve pairs; carry messages to and from the brain with regard to the head and neck (except the vagus nerve)
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dendrite
Microscopic branching fiber of a nerve cell; the first part to receive the nervous impulse
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dura mater
The thick, outermost layer of the meninges surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord
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efferent nerve
Carries messages away from the brain and spinal cord; motor nerve
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ependymal cell
Glial cell that lines the membranes within the brain and spinal cord; helps form cerebrospinal fluid
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ganglion (plural:ganglia)
collection of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system
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glial cell (neuroglial cell)
Supportive and connective nerve cell that does not carry nervous impulses; can reproduce itself
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gyrus (plural:gyri)
Sheet of nerve cells that produces a rounded ridge on the surface of the cerebral cortex; convolution
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hypothalamus
The portion of the brain beneath the thalamus; controls sleep, appetite, body temperature, and pituitary gland secretions
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medulla oblongata
The part of the brain just above the spinal cord; controls breathing, heartbeat, and size of blood vessels
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meninges
Three protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
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microglial cell
Phagocytic glial cell that removes waste products from the central nervous system
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motor nerve
Carries messages away from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and organs; efferent nerve
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myelin sheath
Covering of white fatty tissue that surrounds and insulates the axon of a nerve cell; speeds impulse conduction
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nerve
Macroscopic cord-like collection of fibers (axons and dendrites) that carry electrical impulses
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neuron
Nerve cell that carries impulses throughout body; parenchyma of the nervous system
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neurotransmitter
Chemical messenger released at the end of a nerve cell; stimulates or inhibits another cell
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oligondendroglial cell
Chemical messenger released at the end of a nerve cell; stimulates or inhibits another cell
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parasympathetic nerves
Involuntary, autonomic nerves that regulate normal body functions such as heart rate, breathing, and muscles of the gastrointestinal tract
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parenchyma
Essential, distinguishing tissue of any organ or system; for the nervous system, neurons and nerves that carry impulses
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peripheral nervous system
Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord; cranial, spinal, and autonomic nerves
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pia mater
The thin, delicate inner membrane of the meninges.
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plexus (plural:plexuses)
A large, interlacing network of nerves
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pons
The part of the brain anterior to the cerebellum and between the medulla and the rest of the midbrain.
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receptor
An organ that receives a nervous stimulus and passes it on to afferent nerves; the skin, ears, eyes, and taste buds are receptors
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sciatic nerve
The nerve extending from the base of the spine down the thigh, lower leg, and foot
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sensory nerve
Carries messages toward the brain and spinal cord from receptor; afferent nerve
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spinal nerves
Thirty-one pairs arising from the spinal cord
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stimulus (plural: stimuli)
An agent of change (light, sound, touch) in the internal or external environment that evokes a response
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stroma
Connective and supporting tissue of an organ; glial cells are the stromal tissue of the brain
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sulcus (plural: sulci)
Depression or groove in the surface of the cerebral cortex; fissure
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sympathetic nerves
Autonomic nerves that influence bodily functions involuntarily in times of stress
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synapse
The space through which a nervous impulse travels between nerve cells or between nerve and muscle or glandular cells
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thalamus
Main relay center of the brain; conducts impulses between the spinal cord and the cerebrum
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vagus nerve
Tenth cranial nerve; branches reach to the larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, aorta, esophagus, and stomach
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ventricles of the brain
Canals in the brain that contain cerebrospinal fluid
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thec/o
sheath (refers to meninges)
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alges/o
-algesia
excessive sensitivity to pain
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esthesi/o
-esthesia
feeling, nervous sensation
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kines/o
-kinesia
movement
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-kinesis
kinetic
movement
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-paresis
slight paralysis
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tax/o
order, coordination
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