Nervous system

NERVOUS SYSTEM:
The nervous system is a complex network of nerves and cells that carry
messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the
body.
NEURONE: The basic unit of structure and function in the nervous
system is neurone. Cells that conduct impulses, made up of dendrites,
cell body and an axon.
 Dendrites: branch-like extensions that receive
impulses and carry them toward cell body
Axon: single extension of the neuron that carries impulses away from
the cell body.
The axon branches out at ending to send impulses to many different
neurons. Dendrites receive impulses from many other axons.
Myelin sheath: long neuron fibers are covered by a fatty myelin
sheath. Cells of myelin sheath are called Schwann cells. Small gaps
between consecutive Schwann cells are called nodes of Ranvier. Both
myelin sheath and the nodes of Ranvier determine the speed with
which impulses are conducted. In such neurons impulses jumps over
the myelin going from node to node. These jumping or saltatory
impulses increase the speed of nerve impulse.
 3 types of neurons
Sensory Neurons: carry impulses from inside and outside the body
to brain and spinal cord.

Interneurons: found within brain and spinal cord, process incoming

impulses and pass them on to motor neurons.

Motor Neurons: carry impulses away from the brain and spinal cord.
So how do these neurons work if
someone taps you on the shoulder
• Receptors in the skin sense touch or other stimuli.
• Sensory neurons transmit the touch message.
• Information is sorted and interpreted in the brain. A response in
determined by interneurons.
• Motor neurons transmit a response message to the shoulder muscles.

• The shoulder muscles are activated, causing the head to turn.

Nerve:
A nerve means the union of several axons that are enveloped by a
covering made of lipids.
Based on the property of axon, the nerves are classified into three
types.
Sensory nerves: contain the axons of sensory neurons only.
Motor nerves: contain the axons of motor neurons only.
Mixed nerves: contain the axons of both sensory and motor neurons.
 DIVISION OF NERVOUS
SYSTEM
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM:
Made up of brain and spinal cord
Acts as body’s control center, coordinates body’s activities
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Made up of all the nerves that carry messages to and from the central
nervous system.
Similar to telephone wires that connect all of our houses in the community
Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous System work together to
make rapid changes in your body in response to stimuli.
 Central Nervous System
Made up of brain and spinal cord
BRAIN:
It is enclosed within the cranium (skull).
Meninges:
Brain and spinal code are covered with three protective membranes
called meninges. 1. pia mater 2. archanide mater 3. dura mater
Between the inner and middle layer there is a fluid, the cerebrospinal
fluid, which helps to cushion the brain from shock.
The brain contains hollow spaces called ventricles that are
continuous with the central canal of spinal code. They are filled with
cerebrospinal fluid.
Cerebrospinal fluid:
CSF is a clear, colorless body fluid found within the ventricles of brain
and the subarachnoid spaces of the cranium and the spine.
It provide nourishment, waste removal and protection to the brain.

PARTS OF BRAIN

1. Fore brain
2. Mid brain
3. Hind brain
FOREBRAIN:
It consist of the following
cerebrum
thalamus
limbic system
1. cerebrum:
Cerebrum is the largest part of brain. It is divided into two cerebral hemispheres. Each
cerebral hemisphere is divided into four major lobes.
The two hemispheres are connected by a bundle of nerve fibres called corpus
callosum.
I. Frontal lobe
II. Parietal lobe
III. Temporal lobe
IV. Occipital lobe
Occipital lobe: responsible for vision
Temporal lobe: responsible for hearing and smelling
Parietal lobe: receive stimuluses' from skin and provide awareness of
body position.
Frontal lobe: control movement of skeletal muscles
2. Thalamus: It is below the cerebrum .thalamus receives nearly all
impulses arriving from sensory area of the body, before passing them
to cerebrum.
It is also involve in pain reception and consciousness.
3. hypothalamus
It lies below thalamus.it regulate body temperature, appetite, water
balance, blood pressure, feeling of mood etc.
It links nervous system with endocrine system

MIDBRAIN:
It is just mass of tract below the cerebrum. The midbrain receive
sensory information and send it to the appropriate part of forebrain. It
also control some auditory reflexes and posture.
HINDBRAIN:
Hind brain includes
Cerebellum, pons and medulla oblongata
Cerebellum: it is the second largest part of brain. It controls balance
and muscles coordination.
Medulla oblongata: it is the last part of brain just above the spinal
code.it control involuntary processes like heartbeat, blood pressure,
respiration coughing, sneezing vomiting etc.
Pons: it is small lobe like structure lying just above the medulla. It
assists medulla in controlling breathing process. It also serves as a
connection between cerebellum and spinal code
 SPINAL CORD
It is vital structure that links brain with body and body with brain
start form base of foramen magnum and ends at lumbar 2 vertebrae
it is protected by vertebral column
act as high way for transmission of nerve impulse
SPINAL NERVE
Originate directly from spinal cord
31 pair
They are all mixed type
Originated from spinal cord bia two roots i.e dorsal column and
ventral root
Dorsal column
It carries information of pressure, vibration
Lateral column
It carries information of pain, temperature, ticking and itching
Peripheral Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System
• It is classified into two systems
1.Somatic nervous system (voluntary control)
• Sensory nervous system
2.Autonomic nervous system (Self regulating)
• Sympathetic Nervous system
• Parasympathetic Nervous system
Somatic nervous system
The somatic nervous system is under voluntary control, and transmit
signals from the brain to end organs such as muscles.
 The sensory system is part of somatic nervous system and transmit
signals from senses such as taste and touch to spinal cord and brain
The sensory somatic system consists of
12 pairs of cranial nerves
31 pairs of spinal nerves
Cranial nerves
 Olfactory (smell)
 Optic (vision)
 Oculomotor (eye movement, pupil dilation)
 Trochlear (vertical eye movement)
 Trigeminal (facial sensation and expressions)
 Abducens (movement of eye ball)
 Facial (taste and expresions)
 Vestibulocochlear /Auditory (hearing and balancing)
 Glossopharyngeal (swallowing and taste)
 Vagus (sensation in throat)
 Spinal accessory (head and shoulder movement)
 Hypoglossal (tongue movement
Autonomic nervous system
Autonomic or involuntary part of the nervous system controls the
autonomic function of the body.
Regulate activity of smooth muscle, cardiac muscles and certain
glands.
Receive input from limbic system and other regions of cerebrum.
Sympathetic Nervous system
It is originates in the spinal cord and its function is to activate the
physiological changes .
The SNS is responsible for the fight or flight responses of the body
(HR increase, pupils dilate)
The actions by SNS are most apparent when the body is faced with
stressful situations.
It is allowing us to cope with the stress and increase our chances of
survival.
It activates the release of nor epinephrine in the reaction
Parasympathetic Nervous
system
It originates from spinal cord and medulla and works with the SNS.
Its function is to activate the ‘rest and digest’ response and return the
body to homeostasis after ‘fight and flight’ response.(slow HR, low BP,
constrict pupils)
It activates the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
It control body when a person is at rest include stimulate digestion,
activate metabolism and helping body relax
Reticular Formation
Diffuse mass of gray matter along the brain stem
Involved in motor control of visceral organs
Reticular activating system plays a role in awake/sleep cycles and
consciousness
Ventricles and CSF

Within brain there are four irregular shaped cavities or ventricles

containing CSF.
It is secreted continuously at rate of 0.5ml per minute, 720ml per day.
CSF is clear and alkaline fluid, consist of water, minerals, glucose,
plasma protein (albumin and globulin and few leukocytes.
Functions of CSF
Protect brain and spinal cord
Maintain uniform pressure
Act as cushion and shock absorber between brain and the cranial
bones.
The brain and the spinal cord moist
Interchange between CSF and nerve cells, such as nutrients and
waste products
Blood brain barrier
It is a selective barrier that protects the brain from potentially toxic
substances and chemical variations in blood

O2, Co2, Alcohol, glucose, barbiturates quickly cross the barrier into
brain.

Brain and the spinal cord are relatively well protected from microbial
infection by the BBB