Module 8 Nervous System - 8.1 Module Outline - Objectives & Key Vocabulary

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by noah

Module 8 Nervous System presents the nervous system as the body’s fast-acting control system, explaining how it responds to internal and external changes by activating muscles and glands. It outlines module objectives and learning outcomes, then builds core terminology through key vocabulary, including major definitions for the central and peripheral nervous systems, neurons, and major brain regions. The module also introduces combining forms and common abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols, and connects anatomy and physiology with sleep and memory concepts.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Module Outline

Module Objectives

Key Vocabulary

Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Symbols

Anatomy & Physiology

Nervous System A Course Companion Peter Reuter, M. D., Ph. D. Valerie Weiss, M. D., M.S. Module 8 Nervous System 8.1 Module Outline The nervous system is the fast-acting control system of the body. It responds to internal and external changes by activating appropriate muscles and glands. 􀁸 Module Objectives 􀁸 Key Vocabulary 􀁸 Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Symbols 􀁸 Anatomy & Physiology 􀁸 Divisions of the Nervous System 􀁸 Cells of the Nervous System 􀁸 Central Nervous System 􀁸 The Brain 􀁸 Sleep 􀁸 Memory 􀁸 The Spinal Cord 􀁸 Peripheral Nervous System 􀁸 Cranial Nerves 􀁸 Spinal Nerves 􀁸 Autonomic Nervous System 􀁸 Pathology 􀁸 Disorders of the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems 􀁸 Mental Health Disorders 8.2 Module Objectives Upon completion of this module, you will be able to: 􀁸 Recognize, spell, and build words related to the nervous system. 􀁸 Identify and describe the major parts of the nervous system and their functions . 􀁸 Describe and understand pathological conditions and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures related to the nervous system and mental health. 􀁸 Demonstrate your understanding of the content by completing the Test Your Knowledge section at the end of the module. 8.3 Key Vocabulary This section introduces major definitions, combining forms, suffixes, and prefixes related to the cell. For a more complete list , check Commonly Used Adjectives, Prefixes, and Suffixes in the Appendix. Table 8.1 Overview of Major Definitions and Combining Forms Term Definition Central nervous system (CNS) Consists of the brain and spinal cord. | Peripheral nervous system (PNS) | Made up of the cranial and spinal nerves that convey messages to or from the CNS. | | --- | --- | | Neurons or nerve cells | Excitable cells that generate, receive, and transmit electrical signals. | | Brain | Divided into four regions: cerebral hemispheres (cerebrum), diencephalon, brainstem, and cerebellum. | | Term | Definition | | Cerebrum | Site of our conscious mind: awareness, sensory perception, voluntary motor | Module 8 Nervous System | initiation, communication, memory storage, and understanding. | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Diencephalon | Center for emotional response and autonomic control center for functions such as blood pressure, body temperature , sleep-wake cycle, or water balance. | | | Brain stem | Oldest part of the brain. Has centers to control automatic behavior needed for survival. | | | Cerebellum | Its main function is maintaining balance. | | | Memory | Storage and retrieval of information. | | | Sleep | A state of partial unconsciousness from which a person can be aroused by stimulation. | | | Spinal cord | The part of the central nervous system inside the vertebral canal. | | | Autonomic nervous system (ANS) | Oldest part of the nervous system. Controls smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands. | | | Combining Form(s) | Meaning Example(s) | | | -algia | Pain or painful condition Cephalalgia = headache | | | cephal(o) - | Head Cephalic = relating to the head | | | cerebell(o) - | Cerebellum Cerebellar = relating to the cerebellum | | | cerebr(o) - | Cerebrum Cerebrovascular = relating to the blood
vessels of the brain | | | crani(o) - | Skull (cranium) Craniospinal = relating to cranium and
spinal column | | | -dural | Dura mater Subdural = located below the dura
mater | | | encephal(o) - | Brain Encephalitis = inflammation of the brain | | | glio(o) - | Nervous tissue Glioma = tumor arising from glial cells | | | -lepsy | Seizure Epilepsy = chronic disorder with
recurrent, unprovoked seizures | | | mening(o) - | Meninges or membranes Meningioma = tumor arising from the
meninges | | | myel(o) - | Spinal cord or myelin Myelopathy = disease affecting the
spinal cord | | | neur(i) -, neur(o) - | Nerve or nervous system Neuritis = inflammation of a nerve or
nerves | | | -paresis | Partial or incomplete paralysis Hemipar

FAQs

What are the main objectives for completing Module 8 on the nervous system?

Learners recognize and build nervous-system-related words, identify major parts and functions, and understand pathological conditions with related diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Completion is confirmed by finishing the Test Your Knowledge section at the end of the module.

How does the module explain the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)?

The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS is made up of cranial and spinal nerves that convey messages to or from the CNS.

What kinds of learning content are included in the Key Vocabulary section?

Key Vocabulary introduces major definitions and the combining forms, suffixes, and prefixes related to nervous-system cell terminology, supported by an overview table and examples.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by noah