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Neurology
Neurohpysiology and Neuroanatomy
61
Veterinary Medicine
Graduate
01/13/2013

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Term
Interneuron
Definition
Neuron in the CNS that transmits information between peripheral and central nerves/neurons. Especially important in the autonomic nervous system.
Term
Cranial/Lumbar Intumescence
Definition
A slightly thicker region of the spinal cord containing the cell bodies of the nerves supplying the thoracic and pelvic limbs.
Term
Astrocyte
Definition
The workhorse: the connective tissue of the cranium: helps to position neurons, forms the blood-brain barrier, can absorb excess K+,gives structure.
Term
Oligodendrocytes
Definition
In the CNS give insulation and protection to the neurons via their myelinated foot processes. In the PNS this job is done by the Schwann Cells
Term
Microglia
Definition
Phagocytes: cousins to the monocytes, the immune system of the brain. Secrete damaging chemicals to deal with pathogens, may be responsible for some neurological disorders with a autoimmune component.
Term
Ependymal Cells
Definition
Line the ventricles in the brain.
Term
Forebrain grey matter
Definition
Can be superficial in the cerebral cortex or deeply located in sulci.
Term
Brainstem grey matter
Definition
Grey matter columns, fragmented into clusters of cells called nuclei.
Term
Spinal grey matter
Definition
Columns of grey matter (dorsal, lateral and ventral funiculi)surrounded by white matter.
Term
Patellar reflex
Definition
Stretching the patellar tendon stretches the muscle: spindle fibers sense the stretching, fire an action potential (sensory) that undergoes a reflex arc and excites the quadriceps a and inhibits the flexor muscles (semiten/mem).
Term
Sulcus limitans
Definition
Separates cranial nerve motor nuclei from the sensory nerve nuclei.
Term
Mesencephalic aqueduct
Definition
Contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), is within the mesencephalon (or midbrain) and connects the third ventricle in the diencephalon to the fourth ventricle within the region of the mesencephalon and metencephalon, located dorsal to the pons and ventral to the cerebellum.
Term
Prosencephalon
Definition
Made up of the Telencephalon and Diencephalon. The forebrain.
Term
Mesencephalon
Definition
The Midbrain
Term
Metencephalon
Definition
The Pons
Term
Myelencephalon
Definition
Medulla Oblongata
Term
Falx Cerebri
Definition
A strong, arched fold of dura mater that descends vertically in the longitudinal fissure between the cerebral hemispheres. (Separates L/R)

It is narrow in front, where it is attached to the crista galli of the ethmoid; and broad behind, where it is connected with the upper surface of the tentorium cerebelli.
Term
Tetorium cerebelli
Definition
Separates cerebellum/cerebrum.It covers the superior surface of the cerebellum, and supports the occipital lobes of the brain.
Term
12 Cranial Nerves
Definition
I: Olfactory - smell
II: Optic - sight
III: Oculomotor - movements of the eye, constricts pupil.
IV: Trochloear - ^v<> eye movements
V: Trigeminal -Chewing, facial sensation
VI: Abducens- lateral eye movements
VII: Facial - Facial expression
VIII: Vestibulocochlear- Hearing, balance
IX: Glossopharyngeal- Taste, swallowing
X: Vagus -Laryngeal muscles, thoraco/ab viscera
XI: Accessory: Brachiocephalic muscles
XII: Hypoglossal- tongue movement
Term
Cerebrum
Definition
Composed of the cerebral cortex (olfactory bulb, limbic system, neocortex) and the basal nuclei (caudate, pallidum, pudamen: extrapyramidal)(amygdala, septal nuclei: limbic system).
Term
Diencephalon
Definition
Thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus, metathalamus, subthalamus.
Term
Thalamus
Definition
A midline, symmetrical structure surrounding the third ventricle in the brain. It is responsible for relaying sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex. Also regulates consciousness, sleep, and alertness.
Term
Hypothalamus
Definition
In the ventral diencephalon, ventral to the thalamus: responsible for homeostasis functions, thirst, hunger, emotion, circadian rhythms, control of the ANS and pituitary.
Term
Caudate nucleus
Definition
Located in the basal ganglia, involved in learning and memory.
Term
Ventral pallidum
Definition
A nucleus in the basal ganglia that communicates with the thalmic nuclei. Deals with motivation, behaviour, and emotions. It is involved in drug addiction
Term
Amygdaloid Body
Definition
Almond-shaped groups of nuclei located deep within the medial temporal lobes of the brain in complex vertebrates, including humans. Shown in research to perform a primary role in the processing of memory and emotional reactions, the amygdalae are considered part of the limbic system.
Term
Hippocampus
Definition
Part of the limbic system and plays important roles in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory and spatial navigation. Humans and other mammals have two hippocampi, one in each side of the brain. The hippocampus is a part of the cerebral cortex, and in primates is located in the medial temporal lobe, underneath the cortical surface. It contains two main interlocking parts: Ammon's horn and the dentate gyrus. "Inside Out"
Term
Cingulate Gyrus
Definition
Lies immediately above the corpus callosum, and the continuation of this in the cingulate sulcus.
Term
Internal Capsule
Definition
The internal capsule is an area of white matter in the brain that separates the caudate nucleus and the thalamus from the putamen and the globus pallidus. The internal capsule contains both ascending and descending axons. Transmits info to and from forebrain from the opposite side of the body.
It consists of axonal fibres that run between the cerebral cortex and the pyramids of the medulla.

Projection fibres: forebrain to hindbrain.
Term
Corpus Callosum
Definition
A wide, flat bundle of neural fibers beneath the cortex in the eutherian brain at the longitudinal fissure. It connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres and facilitates interhemispheric communication.

Commisural fibres.
Term
Association fibres
Definition
Communication within a lobe.
Term
Decussation
Definition
When nerves cross at a level other than their origin: Left half your brain control right half of your body, etc.
Term
Spinocerebellar tract
Definition
The spinocerebellar tract is a set of axonal fibers originating in the spinal cord and terminating in the ipsilateral cerebellum. This tract conveys information to the cerebellum about limb and joint position
Term
Vestibulospinal tracts
Definition
The vestibular nuclei receive information through the vestibulocochlear nerve about changes in the orientation of the head. The nuclei relay motor commands through the vestibulospinal tract. The function of these motors commands are to alter muscle tone, extend, and change the position of the limbs and head with the goal of supporting posture and maintaining balance of the body and head.
Term
Diploe
Definition
Spongy bone (containing some fat) between two layers of compact bone of skullcap.
Term
Ataxia
Definition
Lack of coordination.
Term
Ascending Reticular Activating System
Definition
Keeps you conscious. ARAS.
Term
Rostral Colliculus
Definition
'little hill' in brainstem. Communicates with the visual cortex. Visual reflexes. In herbivores, larger than the caudal colliculus.
Term
Caudal colliculus
Definition
Auditory reflexes. Communicates with the auditory center of the brain. In carnivores larger than the rostral colliculus.
Term
Red nucleus
Definition
In the midbrain: anatomically actually red in humans, not other animals. Important upper motor neuron.
Term
Substantia nigra
Definition
Black in humans. Part of the basal nuclei, but is not located with the rest of the basal nuclei in the ventral forebrain, it is in the midbrain.
Term
Tectum
Definition
Part of the midbrain: includes the superior (rostral) and inferior (caudal) colliculi and is the dorsal covering of the cerebral aqueduct.
Term
Tegmentum
Definition
Part of the midbrain ventral to the mesencephalic aqueduct.
Term
Pons
Definition
Contains the motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve (chewing). Ventrally contains the ARAS, responsible for keeping you conscious. It is made of white matter that transmits signals down to the cerebellum and medulla and carries sensory information to the thalamus.
Term
Medulla Oblongata
Definition
The caudal part of the brainstem. The medulla contains the cardiac, respiratory, vomiting and vasomotor centers and deals with autonomic, involuntary functions, such as breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. Contains all the afferent/efferent tracts to the spinal cord, and the nuclei for cranial nerves VI-XII.
Term
Obex
Definition
Most caudal part of the fourth ventricle, becomes instead the central canal.
Term
Ipsilateral
Definition
Belonging to or concerning the same side of the body.
Term
Contralateral
Definition
Relating to or denoting the side of the body opposite to that on which a particular structure or condition occurs.
Term
Reflex arc
Definition
Pain -> sensory nerve -> message processed in spinal cord -> motor nerve -> contraction of skeletal muscle.
Term
Inhibitory neuromuscular transmission
Definition
Does not exist! Action potentials only stimulate muscle contraction. TO inhibit contraction the action potential must be prevented.
Term
Membrane potential
Definition
Electric potential (voltage) that exists across the membrane of all cells. Inside negative to the outside, usually around -0.9v. Due to the difference in concentration and permeability of key icons.
Term
Resting ion channels
Definition
Leakage channels: exist in a perpetually open state, allow for more or less passive diffusion of an ion (Potassium, Sodium).
Term
Gated ion channels
Definition
Can be mechanically-gated, ligand-gated, or voltage-gated. Will not open unless certain requirements are met. Crucial for establishing action potentials across a synapse.
Term
Electrical/chemical equilibrium
Definition
With resting channels, an ion will follow its concentration gradient across the membrane. In the case of Potassium, for example, this generates excess '+' charge inside the cell, so there will develop an outward electrical gradient. Equilibrium happens when the electrical = chemical gradient(In true membranes, the inside will be slightly negative)
Term
Nernst potential
Definition
Also known as the equilibrium potential. When an ion has unequal concentrations on either side of a membrane, there is a unique potential difference that will exactly oppose diffusion of the ion down its concentration gradient.
Term
Nernest equation
Definition
E(k)= RT/zF[ln([Na+]o/[Na+]i)]
Term
Resting membrane potential
Definition
Term
Sodium Potassium Pump
Definition
3 sodium out, 2 potassium in. ATP driven, is responsible for maintaining the chemical gradient of potassium: actively works against the combined chemical and electrical gradient for sodium.
Term
Action Potential
Definition
How nerves transmit signals: rapid, brief changes in membrane potential during which time the potential actually reverses, and the inside of the membrane is, for a short time, positive and the outside is negative.
Term
Absolute refractory period
Definition
Term
Relative refractory period
Definition
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