Cells responsible for receiving sensory input from the external world, sending motor commands to the muscles, and for transforming and relaying the electrical signals at every step in between

Glial cells

Provide scaffolding on which the nervous system is built, help neurons line up closely with each other to allow them to communicate, provide insulation to neurons, and transport nutrients and waste products; support neurons; there are three types: microglia, oligodendrocyte, and astrocyte

Concussion

A brain injury that causes a temporary disturbance in brain function; symptoms include headache, nausea, sleepiness, and sensitivity to light

Stroke

A disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain; occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures; brain cells die due to lack of blood flow; symptoms include numbness, weakness, and the inability to move the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body

Encephalitis

Inflammation of the brain tissue

Meningitis

Inflammation of the lining around the brain or spinal cord, usually from infection

Parkinson's Disease

Caused by a loss of nerve cells in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra; often recognizable by uncontrolled shaking and/or stiffness

Nervous System

Organ system that coordinates the activities of muscles, monitor organs, processes data received from the senses, and initiates actions

Brain

Organ in the skull that acts as the coordinating center of sensation and intellectual activity

Spinal cord

Bundle of nerves encased by the spine that connects nearly all of the parts of the body to the brain

Nerve

Bundle of fibers composed of neurons that uses electrical and chemical signals to transmit sensory (feeling) and motor (movin) information

Nerve impulse

A signal (message) transmitted along a nerve

Central Nervous System

Consists of the brain and spinal cord; plays a central role in the control of most bodily functions including awareness, movements, sensations, thoughts, speech, and memory

Peripheral Nervous System

Division of the nervous system containing all the nerves that lie outside of the central nervous system

Cerebrum

Front of the brain; coordinates movement, regulates temperature, thinking and reasoning, problem-solving, emotions, and the senses

Brainstem

Middle/bottom of brain; connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord, sends signals from the brain to the rest of the body, and controls breathing and heart rate

Cerebellum

Back of the head/brain; coordinates voluntary muscle movements and maintains posture, balance, and equilibrium

Meninges

Three layers of protective covering that surround the brain and spinal cord

Pituitary gland

Pea-sized structure found deep in the brain that regulates the flow of hormones and the function of other glands in the body

Hypothalamus

Located above the pituitary gland; regulates body temperature, synchronizes sleep patterns, controls hunger and thirst

Amygdala

Small, almond-shaped structures under each hemisphere of the brain; regulates emotion and memory and are associated with the brain's reward system, stress, and the "fight or flight" response

Hippocampus

A curved seahorse-shaped organ; supports memory, learning, navigation, and perception of space

Pineal gland

Located deep in the brain; regulates the sleep-wake cycle

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Watery fluid that surrounds and cushions the spinal cord and brain, washes out waste and impurities, and delivers nutrients

Frontal lobe

Associated with decision making, motor skills, higher-level cognition, and expressive language

Parietal lobe

Helps a person identify objects and understand spatial relationships; involved in interpreting pain and touch in the body

Occipital lobe

Involved with vision

Temporal lobe

Involved in short-term memory, interpreting sounds, and musical rhythm

Spinal cord: Cervical

Head/neck; breathing; hands/wrist

Spinal cord: Thoracic

Chest and abdominal muscles

Spinal cord: Lumbar

Legs

Spinal cord: Sacral

Bowels and bladder

Divisions of the Nervous System: Central Nervous System

Brain and spinal cord

Divisions of the Nervous System: Peripheral Nervous System

Neurons: motor and sensory

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements like running and writing

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary responses like heartbeat

Divisions of the Nervous System: Sympathetic Division

Activates the fight or flight response during a threat, perceived threat, or danger

Divisions of the Nervous System: Parasympathetic Division

Restores the body to a state of calm

Sensation

Detects changes in the internal and external environments

Integration

Evaluation of the information from the senses, used to make decisions and memories

Motor Output

Delivers messages to muscles or glands to take action

Working with the Nervous System: Respiratory System

Brain monitors blood gas levels

Working with the Nervous System: Digestive System

Nerves are triggered when food stretches the walls of the hollow organs; nerves release chemicals that cause the muscles in the GI tract to contract or relax

Working with the Nervous System: Muscular System

Nervous system sends messages to activate skeletal muscles

Working with the Nervous System: Endocrine System

Nervous system signals glands to release hormones; these hormones influence reproduction, growth, and metabolism

Just Anger

Relates to anger that stems from an offense to God-whether directly, such as taking the Lord's name in vain, or indirectly, such as prejudice