Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals flashcards as text
The corpus callosum serves what primary anatomical function in the brain?
Answer: Connecting the two cerebral hemispheres and enabling interhemispheric communication
The corpus callosum is a large bundle of white matter fibers that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres, enabling communication and coordination between them.
Which type of glial cell is the primary immune cell of the central nervous system, responsible for surveying the CNS for pathogens and removing debris?
Answer: Microglia
Microglia are the resident macrophages of the CNS, constantly surveying the environment and responding to injury or infection through phagocytosis and inflammatory signaling.
In the context of pain physiology, what is the gate control theory of pain?
Answer: Non-painful input can close neural 'gates' in the spinal cord and reduce pain perception
The gate control theory (Melzack & Wall, 1965) proposes that non-painful stimuli activate large-fiber input that 'closes a gate' in the spinal cord dorsal horn, inhibiting pain signal transmission to the brain.
Which structure in the brainstem is responsible for regulating basic life-sustaining functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure?
Answer: Medulla oblongata
The medulla oblongata contains vital control centers for respiration, cardiovascular function, and other autonomic reflexes necessary for survival.
In psychoneuroimmunology, chronic psychological stress is associated with which broad pattern of immune dysregulation?
Answer: Immune suppression through elevated glucocorticoids reducing lymphocyte activity
Chronic stress leads to persistently elevated cortisol, which suppresses immune function by reducing lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production, increasing vulnerability to infection and illness.
Which division of the autonomic nervous system is most active during digestion, relaxation, and recovery, often described as 'rest and digest'?
Answer: Parasympathetic nervous system
The parasympathetic nervous system dominates during rest, promoting digestion, slowing heart rate, and conserving energy through actions mediated largely by the vagus nerve.
Lateralization of brain function refers to the concept that certain functions are predominantly processed by one hemisphere. Which function is most strongly lateralized to the left hemisphere in most right-handed individuals?
Answer: Language production and comprehension
Language production (Broca's area) and comprehension (Wernicke's area) are predominantly localized in the left hemisphere in approximately 95% of right-handed people.