Somatic, controls skeletal muscles, made of both sensory and motor neurons

Parasympathetic, rest or digest, increased digestion and excretion; decreased heart rate

Sympathetic, fight or flight, increased mental alertness, heart rate, blood pressure, reduced digestion

Sensory Neurons monitor external and internal environments, relay information to CNS neurons

Interneuron located only in the CNS, distributes sensory info and coordinates motor activity

Spinal Cord controls reflexes, sends information to and from the brain

Neurotransmitter released by axons to initiate action potential

Synapse when the action potential travels from the axon of one neuron to the dendrite of another

Pons relays sensory information between cerebrum and cerebellum

Medulla Oblongata regulates heart rate, blood pressure, breathing

Midbrain assists in motor reflexes associated with visual and auditory stimuli

Amygdala Evaluates environmental stimuli & generates emotional responses. has a role in memory formation associated with strong emotions

Hippocampus crucial for forming new memories, aides in spatial navigation and orientation

Hypothalamus maintains the two H's: Homeostasis and Hormones

Thalamus Processes sensory info from the body to the cerebral cortex, and motor info going from
the cerebral cortex to the body

Meninges Three layers of membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord

Cranial Nerves Exit skull and innervate with the neck and the head

Spinal Nerves carries sensory, motor, and autonomic signals between spinal cord and the body

Cerebellum coordinates movement; controls posture & balance. Receives sensory input about body position from spinal cord & motor input from brain, stores as muscle memory

Somatosensory cortex processing sensory info such as touch, temperature, pain

Wernicke’s area language comprehension & interpretation

Fusiform face area facial recognition & facial expression interpretation

Motor cortex planning and executing voluntary movements