2. Learning Targets
โข Establish the functions of the nervous system.
โข Discuss general anatomy and physiology of the
system
โข Describe the central nervous system structure
and functions.
3. An Overview
โข The Nervous system is the
series of 100 + BILLION
neurons in the body.
โ Includes the following
divisions
โข Central Nervous System
โข Peripheral Nervous System
โข Autonomic Nervous
System
โ Functions include:
โข Communication! Collecting
data, interpreting, and
sending messages.
4. Tissue in the Nervous System
โข Nerve Cell = Neurons
โ Cell body with dendrites (receives messages)
โ Axon insulted in myelin sheath (sends messages along via
action potential)
โข Glial Cells
โ These are cells that protect and support the neurons.
5. Neurotransmitters
โข These are chemical messengers that pass from
neuron to neuron to continue the message.
โ They are released into the synapse (space between
neurons) and picked up by the next neuron.
โ There are 200-300 chemicals in the body that serve
as neurotransmitters.
6. The Central Nervous System
โข This includes the brain and
spinal cord.
โ Brain lives in the cranium
and has several parts.
โ Spinal Cord in housed inside
the vertebral column.
โข The organs of the central
nervous system (CNS) are
covered by tough, protective
tissues called meninges.
โข The CNS organs are
surrounded by cerebrospinal
fluids, which provides
protection.
7. The Brain
โข Central Control of the body.
โ Divided into four parts
โข Cerebrum
โข Diencephalon
โข Cerebellum
โข Brain Stem
โ The brain has 4 ventricles (fluid filled spaces)
โข These are highly vascular and lined with cells that
produce cerebrospinal fluid. Maintains the blood-brain-
barrier.
8. The Cerebrum
โข This is the sophisticated, upper
portion of the brain.
โ Covered in โgrey matterโ surface with
wrinkles and ridges called gyri and
sulci.
โ Divided into left and right
hemispheres and into lobes.
โข Frontal โ personality, speech, logical
reasoning
โข Parietal โ sensory reception and spatial
reasoning
โข Occipital โ Visual interpretation center
โข Temporal โ Hearing and receptive
Language
โข Limbic System โ (deep in the brain)
emotion, short term memory,
9. Diencephalon
โข Located deep in the brain, more primitive in function.
โ Divided into the Thalamus and Hypothalamus
โข autonomic nervous system control
โข Regulation of heart rate
โข Regulation of body temperature
โข Body functions like hunger, sleep, thirst
โข Plays a role in emotions, home of the โgut feelingโ
10. Cerebellum
โข This is the โLittle Brainโ located at the back of
the head below the occipital lobe.
โ Has hemispheres just like cerebrum.
โ Interior white matter called โTree of lifeโ
โ This part of the brain helps us coordinate our
movements and stay balanced.
11. Brain Stem
โข Located at the base of the
brain, most primitive part.
Has three main parts:
โข Pons โ connects cerebrum to
cerebellum and the rest of the
nervous system
โข Midbrain โ contains reflex
(automatic response)
regulation centers, plays role
with sight and hearing
โข Medulla Oblongata โ vital
functions such as heart rate,
blood pressure, respirations,
vomiting, and swallowing
control.
12. The Spinal Cord
โข Runs from the occipital bone to Lumbar Vertebrae #2.
โ Spinal nerves of the peripheral nervous system branch from the
spinal cord.
โ Opposite from the cerebrum, white matter is on the outside, and
grey is on the inside.
โ The main function of the spinal cord is to relay messages up to
and from the brain, and to serve as the reflex arch.
13. Reflex Arch
โข If a response, is reflexive, it means it is automatic.
โ We do not have to think about it.
โ In fact, the action occurs before the brain knows about it.
โ Regulated at the point where the spinal nerve meets the spinal cord.
โ Automatic protective action
โ Message reaches the brain later