Nervous System Vocabulary! by Chloe Cantrell

1. autonomic nervous system

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Contains the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, which work together to control involuntary body functions.

2. central nervous system

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Contains the brain and spinal cord.

3. cerebellum

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Below the back of the cerebrum, it is responsible for muscle coordination, balance, posutre, and muscle tone.

4. cerebrospinal fluid

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A clear, colorless fluid that circulates between the ventricles and through the subarachnoid space. It also serves as a shock absorber to protect the brain and spinal cord.

5. cerebrum

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The largest and highest section of the brain. The outer part is arranged in folds, called convolutions, and separated into lobes. This is responsible for reasoning, thought, memory, judgment, speech,sensation, sight, smell, hearing, and voluntary body movement.

6. diencephalon

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Located between the cerebrum and midbrain. It contains two structures: the thalamus and hypothalamus.

7. hypothalamus

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Regulates and controls the autonomic nervous system, temperature, appetite, water balance, sleep, and blood vessel constriction and dilation. The hypothalamus is also involved in emotions.

8. medulla oblongata

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The lowest part of the brainstem. It connects with the spinal cord and is responsible for regulating heartbeat, respiration, swallowing, coughing, and blood pressure.

9. meninges

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Three membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord.

10. midbrain

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The section located below the cerebrum at the top of the brainstem. It is responsible for conduct ing impulses between brain parts and for certain eye and auditory reflexes.

11. nerves

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A combination of many nerve fibers located outside the brain and spinal cord.

12. nervous system

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A complex, highly organized system that coordinates all the activities of the body. This system enables the body to respond and adapt to changes that occur both inside and outside the body.

13. neuron

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The basic structural unit of the nervous system.

14. parasympathetic

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This system counteracts the actions of the sympathetic system by slowing heart rate, decreasing respiration, lowering blood pressure, and increasing activity.

15. peripheral nervous system

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Consists of the nerves and has two divisions: the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

16. pons

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the section located below the midbrain and in the brainstem. It is responsible for conducting messages to other parts of the brain; for certain reflex actions including chewing, tasting, and saliva production; and for assisting with respiration.

17. somatic nervous system

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The somatic nervous system consists of 12 pairs of cranial nerves and their branches, and 31 pairs of spinal nerves and their branches.

18. spinal cord

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This continues down from the medulla oblongata and ends at the first or second lumbar vertebrae. This is responsible for many reflex actions and for carrying sensory (afferent) messages up to the brain.

19. sympathetic

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This prepares the body to act by increasing heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure, and by slowing activity and the digestive tract.

20. ventricles

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four hollow spaces that connect with each other and with the space under the arachnoid membrane (the subarachnoid space).