Chapter 10: Nervous System; Anatomical Terms

brain and spinal cord

portion of the central nervous system contained within the cranium

largest portion of the brain; it is divided into right and left halves known as cerebral hemispheres that are connected by a bridge of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum

anterior section of each cerebral hemisphere responsible for voluntary muscle movement and personality

portion posterior to the frontal lobe, responsible for sensations such as pain, temperature, and touch

portion that lies below the frontal lobe, responsible for hearing, taste, and smell

portion posterior to the parietal and temporal lobes, responsible for vision

outer layer of the cerebrum consisting of gray matter, responsible for higher mental functions

two gray matter nuclei deep within the brain, responsible for relaying sensory information to the cortex

ring or circle; convolutions (mounds) of the cerebral hemispheres

ditch; shallow grooves that separate gyri

splitting crack; deep grooves in the brain

portion of the brain located below the occipital lobes of the cerebrum, responsible for control and coordination of skeletal muscles

region of the brain that serves as a relay between the cerebrum, cerebellum, and spinal cord, responsible for breathing, heart rate, and body temperature; there are three levels: mesencephalon (midbrain), pons, and medulla oblongata

series of interconnected cavities within the cerebral hemispheres and brainstem filled with cerebrospinal fluid

plasma-like clear fluid circulating in and around the brain and spinal cord

column of nervous tissue from the braistem through the vertebrae, responsible for nerve conduction to and from the brain and the body

three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, consisting of the dura mater, pia mater, and arachnoid

nerves that branch from the central nervous system, including nerves of the brain (cranial nerves) and spinal cord (spinal nerves)

12 pairs of nerves arising from the brain

31 pairs of nerves arising from the spinal cord

nerves that conduct impulses from body parts and carry sensory information to the brain - also called afferent nerves

nerves that conduct motor impulses from the brain to muscles and glands - also called efferent nerves

nerves that carry involuntary impulses to smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and various glands

control center for the autonomic nervous system located below the thalamus (diencephalon)

division of the ANS concerned primarily with preparing the body in stressful or emergency situations

division of the ANS that is most active in ordinary conditions; it counterbalances the effects of the sympathetic system by restoring the body to a restful state after a stressful experience