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Autonomic nervous
system nerves that control "automatic" body processes, such
as breathing, heartbeat and digestion. This system works without our thinking
about it.
Axon the thin, long part of a neuron, that
carries nerve signals to another neuron.
Brain stem
lower part of the brain where information enters. It controls most
of our vital functions and is the major part of the autonomic nervous
system.
Cells tiny
building blocks of the body. There are many different types of cells.
Central
nervous system (CNS) the brain and the spinal cord (See PNS)
Cerebellum two
wrinkled and folded areas at the lower back of the brain that control
the coordination of movements and balance
Cerebral Cortex
the outer layer of the brain, the part you see, where we do most of our
thinking
Cerebrum
the largest
part of the brain where reasoning, memory and senses are controlled. It
has two hemispheres.
Corpus
callosum small
strip of fibers connecting the two hemispheres
of the cerebrum. It carries signals between the
right and left hemispheres.
Cortex the
outer layer of the cerebrum
Hemispheres
the right
and left halves of the cerebrum
Homunculus
An homunculus is a drawing that shows that there is more cerebral cortex
used to process the feeling of touch in some areas of our bodies compared
to others because of the amount of sensory neurons in those areas.
Motor cortex part of the surface of the cerebrum that controls
muscle movements
Motor
nerve a nerve that
carries signals from the brain or spinal cord to the muscles. It tells
the muscles when to produce movements.
Nerve bundle
of neurons through which signals are passed to and from the brain
Neuron
signal tiny pulses of electricity that move along an axon. These
signals carry information.
Neuron a
special cell which carries signals by means of a long strand called
an axon. The signals can be carried from the brain to other parts of
the body and from parts of the body to the brain.
Neuroscientist
scientist who studies
the function and structure of the brain
Peripheral
nervous system ( PNS) the network of nerves outside the brain and
spinal cord that branch to all parts of the body. (See CNS)
Sensory
cortex part of
the surface of the cerebrum that processes information from the sense
organs. It is divided into specific parts such as; the speech areas,
the visual (seeing) area, the auditory (hearing) area and the touch
area.
Sensory
neuron a neuron that carries signals from a sensory part of the
body (skin, eye, ear, nose, tongue) to the brain
Spinal column a set of bones, called vertebrae, that runs down
the back and protects the spinal cord.
Spinal
cord very large
bundle of neurons that extends from the brain and passes through the
spinal column. It is the brain's main link to the rest of the body.
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