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Anatomy & Physiology Exam 3
Nervous System Fundamentals
14
Anatomy
Undergraduate 2
04/12/2010

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Term
what are the 3 main functions of the nervous system?
Definition
1) monitors sensory input, or stimuli
2) integrates input, which means it processes & interprets stimuli then "decides" on a response if necessary
3) initiates motor output by activating effector organs (muscles or glands)
Term
what are effector organs?
Definition
-muscles or glands activated by motor output initiated by nervous system (response to stimuli)
Term
how is the nervous system divided?
Definition
-central nervous system (brain & spinal cord)
-peripheral nervous system (nerves that extend from the brain ("cranial nerves") & the spinal cord "spinal nerves") = neural tissue outside of central nervous system
Term
what is the "command center?" what is the function?
Definition
-central nervous system
-receives all input from sensory receptors
Term
what are the 2 functional divisions of the peripheral nervous system?
Definition
1) sensory/afferent neurons
2) motor/efferent neurons
Term
what is the job of sensory/afferent neurons?
Definition
-carry signals, or action potentials, FRoM sensory receptors TO the central nervous system
Term
what is the job of motor/efferent neurons?
Definition
-carry signals, or action potentials, FROM central nervous system TO effector organs
-results from either a contraction of muscle or glandular secretion
Term
what are the 2 functional divisions of motor neurons?
Definition
1) somatic nervous system
2) autonomic nervous system
Term
what is the somatic nervous system?
Definition
-system of motor nerves that conduct action potentials to only skeletal muscles
Term
what is the autonomic nervous system?
-what are its further divisions?
Definition
-system of motor nerves thats made of visceral nerve fibers that regulate the activity of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands
-divided into parasympathetic nervous system (rest & digest) & sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight)
Term
what is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system?
Definition
-a subdivision within autonomic nervous system (within motor neurons, within peripheral nervous system)
-"rest and digest" controls vegetative functions, the lowering of blood pressure, increasing of digestive function
Term
what is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?
Definition
-nervous system->peripheral nervous system->motor/efferent neurons->autonomic nervous system->sympathetic nervous system
-"fight or flight"" controls energetic functions, the increasing of heart rate/BP, decreasing of digestive function
Term
which autonomic nervous system DECREASES digestive function?
Definition
-sympathetic
Term
what autonomic nervous system division is in almost all viscera?
Definition
BOTH parasympathetic & sympathetic
-which division has more influence depends on central nervous system integration
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