CNS & PNS vocabulary

Upper part of the brain that receives sensation and controls movement.

• Cerebrum

• Cerebellum

• Cerebral cortex

• Brain stem

Layer of grey matter on the surface of the cerebrum that receives information and generates responses.

• Cerebrum

• Cerebellum

• Cerebral cortex

• Brain stem

The posterior portion of the brain that coordinates muscle movement and controls subconscious activities and balance.

• Cerebrum

• Cerebellum

• Cerebral cortex

• Brain stem

Structure that connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls breathing and heartbeat.

• Cerebrum

• Cerebellum

• Cerebral cortex

• Brain stem

Nerve pathway in which an impulse crosses only two synapses before producing a response. 

• Cerebrum

• Reflex arc

• Cerebral cortex

• Brain stem

The portion of the neural structure that provides nerve connections to the skin, skeleton and muscles of the body, but not to the viscera, blood vessels and glands.

• Somatic nervous system

• Reflex acr

• Autonomic nervous system

• Sympathetic nervous system

The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions.

• Somatic nervous system

• Parasympathetic nervous system

• Autonomic nervous system

• Sympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for action or stress.

• Somatic nervous system

• Parasympathetic nervous system

• Autonomic nervous system

• Sympathetic nervous system

Part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body and helps the body to conserve energy.

• Somatic nervous system

• Parasympathetic nervous system

• Autonomic nervous system

• Sympathetic nervous system

Part of the reflex arc that only transfers or links the receptor to the effector neuron.

• Motor neuron

• Sensory neuron

• Photoneuron

• Interneuron