I. Organization of Nervous System -
  A. Central Nervous System
    1. Brain
    2. Spinal cord
  B. Peripheral Nervous System
    1. Somatic
        a. sensory
        b. motor
    2. Autonomic
        a. sympathetic (stress flight/fight responses)
        b. parasympathetic (relaxation)

II. Cells of Nervous System -
  A. Neurons (functional unit of nervous system)
    1. Functional classifications
        a. afferent (carry sensory impulses towards CNS)
        b. efferent (carry motor impulses away from CNS)
        c. association (carry impulses from neuron-to-neuron)
    2. Cell structure of neurons
        a. soma (cell body)
        b. dendrites
        c. axons
            i. collaterals
            ii. axonal transport (slow & fast)
            iii. axon terminals
            iv. axon hillock/trigger zone
            v. myelin sheath
                1) multiple sclerosis (CNS demyelinating disease)
        d. Nissl bodies
        e. synaptic vesicles
  B. Neuroglia
    1. Central nervous system neuroglia
       a. Astrocytes
       b. Oligodendrocytes
       c. Microglia
       d. Ependymal Cells
    2. Peripheral nervous system neuroglia
        a. Neurolemmocytes
        b. Satellite cells

III. Membrane Potential -
  A. Resting Membrane Potential
  B. Ion Distribution Across Membrane
  C. Role of Leakage Channels and Na/K Pump
  D. Gated Ion Channels
    1. Voltage-gated channels
    2. Chemical-gated channels
    3. Mechanical-gated channels
    4. Distribution of gated channels on neuronal cell surface

IV. Action Potentials -
  A.Graded Potentials
    1. EPSP
    2. IPSP
  B. Events of Action Potential
    1. EPSP summation
    2. Threshold
    3. Depolarization
        a. V-G Na+ channels open (Na+ enters)
    4. Repolarization
        a. V-G K+ channels open (K+ exits)
        b. V-G Na+ channels close
    5. Hyperpolarization
        a. V-G K+ channels close
    6. Restoration of resting potential
    7. Refractory period
    8. "All or none" principle
  C. Propagation of Action Potential
    1. Continuous conduction
    2. Saltatory conduction
    3. Factors affecting speed
        a. myelination
        b. axon diameter
        c. A, B, C fibers
            i. characteristics
            ii. examples

V. Neuronal Synapse -
  A. Pre-Synaptic Cells
    1. Role of V-G calcium channels
    2. Release of neurotransmitters
  B. Post-Synaptic Cells
    1. Neurotransmitter receptors
    2. Chemical-gated ion channels
  C. Neurotransmitters
    1. Acetycholine
    2. Glutamate
    3. Glycine
    4. GABA

VI. Spinal Cord Structure -
  A. Location in Vertebral Column
  B. Cauda Equina
  C. Conus Medullaris
  D. Filium Terminale
  E. Site of Epidural Block
  F. Site of Spinal Tap
  G. 31 Pairs of Spinal Nerves
    1. dorsal root
    2. dorsal root ganglion
    3. ventral root
  H. Epidural Region
  I. Central Canal

VII. Meninges -
  A. Dura Mater
  B. Arachnoid Mater
    1. Subarachnoid space
    2. Cerebrospinal fluid
  C. Pia Mater
  D. Effects of Meningitis

VIII. General Spinal Cord Regions -
  A. Grey/White Matter
  B. Dorsal/Anterior/Lateral Grey Horns
  C. Anterior/Posterior White Columns
  D. Ascending/Descending Tracts

IX. Sensory Tracts -
  A. Spinothalamic Tracts
    1. Nociception, touch, temp, pressure
    2. 1st, 2nd, 3rd order neurons
    3. Dorsal root ganglion
    4. Site of decussation
    5. Role of thalamus
    6. Post-central cerebral gyrus
  B. Posterior Column Tracts
    1. Proprioception, stereognosis, fine touch
    2. Site of decussation

X. Motor Tracts -
  A. Pyramidal Tracts
    1. Precise voluntary control
    2. Upper/lower motor neurons
    3. Precentral cerebral gyrus
    4. Site of decussation
    5. Anterior grey horn
    6. Anterior spinal root
  B. Extrapyramidal Tracts
    1. Posture, balance
    2. Complex integration of many upper motor neurons

X. Pain Management -
  A. Analgesics (NSAIDS)
    1. Aspirin, etc.
    2. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis
  B. Anesthetics
    1. Novocaine, etc.
    2. Inhibition of Na+ channels
  C. Opioids
    1. Examples: codeine, morphine
    2. Action: mimics endorphins, inhibits pain
    3. Can also depress ventilation, cause respiratory arrest
  D. Surgery
    1. Rhizotomy
    2. Cordotomy

XI. Reflexes -
  A. Cranial, Autonomic, Somatic Reflexes
  B. Spinal Reflexes
    1. Stretch reflex
        a. monosynaptic
        b. controls muscle length
        c. ipsilateral
        d. reciprocal innervation
        e. general pathway
    2. Tendon reflex
        a. polysynaptic
        b. general pathway
        c. controls muscle tension
        d. ipsilateral/reciprocal
    3. Flexor & Crossed Extensor
        a. polysynaptic
        b. general pathway
        c. ipsilateral and contralateral