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McCance & Huether Pathophysiology Test 1 Review Guide: Essential Concepts and Practice Questions

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Comprehensive McCance & Huether Pathophysiology Test 1 review guide covering foundational concepts in cellular biology, genetics, inflammation, immune responses, fluid and electrolyte balance, and disease mechanisms. Includes key study notes, exam-focused content, and practice questions designed to help nursing and healthcare students improve understanding of pathophysiological processes and prepare confidently for exams.

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McCance Huether Pathophysiology Test 1
central nervous system (CNS)

consists of brain and spinal cord, enclosed within the cranial vault and vertebrae

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

composed of cranial nerves and spinal nerves
also can be divided into somatic and autonomic nervous systems

cranial nerves

project from the brain and pass through foramina in the skull

spinal nerves

project from the spinal cord and pass through intervertebral foramina of the vertebrae

afferent

pathways that carry sensory impulses toward the CNS

efferent

descending pathways carrying sensory impulses from the CNS to effector organs

somatic nervous system

consist of motor and sensory pathways regulating voluntary motor control of skeletal muscle

autonomic nervous system

consists of motor and sensory components and is involved with regulation of the body's internal
environment through involuntary control of organ systems
-can be further divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic

microtubules

made of protein and believed to be involved in transport of cellular products

neuroglial cells

found in the CNS and PNS and can provide structural support and nutrition for neurons, remove debris,
increase speed of nerve impulses, and play a role in memory

Nissl substances

consist of ER and ribosomes and are involved in protein synthesis

nuclei

dense, packed cell bodies in the CNS

ganglia

groups of cells bodies in the PNS

,McCance Huether Pathophysiology Test 1
dendrites

extensions that carry nerve impulses toward the cell body

dendritic zone

the receptive portion of a neuron that receives a stimulus and continues further conduction

axons

long, conductive projections from the cell body that carry nerve impulses away from the cell body

axon hillock

the cone-shaped, organelle-free area where the axon leaves the cell body

fascicles

bundles of axons in large nerves

myelin

an insulating substance made of a segmented layer of lipid material

endoneurium

a delicate connective tissue around each axon in the PNS

nodes of Ranvier

interruptions in the neurilemma and myelin sheath

saltatory conduction

process by which ions can flow between segments rather than along the entire length of the membrane,
resulting in increased velocity of neuronal conduction

divergence

ability of branching axons to influence many different neurons

convergence

branches of numerous neurons converging on and influencing one or a few nuerons

larger

_________axons transmit impulses at a faster rate

unipolar

neurons have one process that branches shortly after leaving the cell body.

pseudounipolar

,McCance Huether Pathophysiology Test 1
neurons that have one process that has its dendritic portion extending away from the CNS and its axon
portion projecting into the CNS
-typical of sensory neurons in cranial and spinal nerves

bipolar

neurons that have two distinct processes arising from the cell body; example: neuron connecting rod
and cone cells of the retina

multipolar

neurons that are the most common and have multiple dendrites and a single axon; example: most
motor neurons

sensory

neurons that carry im,pulses from peripheral sensory receptors to the CNS

interneurons

transmit impulses from neuron to neuron and are also involved in cognitive function

motor

neurons that transmit impulses away from the CNS to an effector organ

neuroglia

most numerous type of CNS cell

astrocyte

a neuroglial cell that fills spaces between neurons and surrounds blood vessels in the CNS

oligodendrocyte

a neuroglial cell that functions to deposit myelin within the CNS; the CNS counterpart of the Schwann
cells

ependymal

neuroglial cell that lines the CSF-filled cavities in the CNS

microglia

remove debris through phagocytosis in the CNS

Schwann cell

a glial cell that wraps around and covers axons in the PNS. Forms and maintains the myelin sheath

wallerian degeneration

the sequence of events that occur when an axon is severed

, McCance Huether Pathophysiology Test 1
synapse

region between adjacent neurons

presynaptic

neurons that relay impulses toward the synapse

postsynaptic

neurons that relay impulses away from the synapse

action potential

An ______ _______ in the presynaptic neuron causes the synaptic vesicles to release their
neurotransmitters through the plasma membrane into the synaptic cleft

neurotransmitter

A ________ is normally stored on one side of a synaptic cleft, and its receptors are on the other side

cannabinoid

transmitters that are released from postsynaptic neurons that modulate neurotransmitter release from
presynaptic neurons

summation

the number and frequency of potentials the postsynaptic neuron receives

temporal summation

the effects of successive, rapid impulses received from a single neuron on the same synapse

spatial summation

the combined effects of impulses from a number of neurons on a single synapse at the same time

facilitation

the effect of excitatory postsynaptic potentials on the plasma membrane potential

brainstem

made up of the midbrain, medulla oblongata, and the pons

reticular formation

a large network of connective tissue nuclei within the brainstem that regulate vital reflexes. Essential for
maintaining wakefulness

reticular activating system

reticular formation + cerebral cortex

plasticity

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