Anatomy &physiology Lec.( 7) MLT dept.
Anatomy of nervous system
The nervous system has three main functions: sensory input, integration of data and motor output. Sensory
input is when the body gathers information or data, by way of neurons, glia and synapses. The nervous system
is composed of excitable nerve cells (neurons) and synapses that form between the neurons and connect them
to centers throughout the body or to other neurons. These neurons operate on excitation or inhibition, and
although nerve cells can vary in size and location, their communication with one another determine their
function.
Component of nervous system
1-Central” Nervous System (CNS)
– Brain
– Spinal Cord
2-Peripheral" Nervous System
(PNS)
– Somatic Nervous System
– Autonomic Nervous System
(ANS)
• Sympathetic branch
• Parasympathetic branch
Functional Classification of neurons
1. Sensory (Afferent) Division- nerve fibers that carry impulses to the CNS from sensory receptors located
throughout body
sensory fibers types:
a. somatic sensory fibers- delivering impulses from the skin, skeletal muscles, & joints
b. visceral sensory fibers- transmitting impulses from the visceral organs
2. Motor (Efferent) Division- nerve fibers that carry impulses from the CNS to effector organs ossicles and
glands, two types:
a. Somatic nervous system: conscious control of skeletal muscles
voluntary control
b. Autonomic nervous system (ANS)- regulates activities that are automatic involuntary, cardiac muscle
smooth muscle and glands
include sympathetic and para sympathetic
1. sympathetic-” fight or flight”
f’ns during extreme situations
ex: increase heart rate, rapid breathing cold and sweaty skin
Anatomy &physiology Lec.( 7) MLT dept.
2. parasympathetic- “resting & digesting”
most active when body at rest causing normal digestion, voiding feces & urine goal: conserving energy.
Microscopic anatomy of neuron
cell body- metabolic center
contains typical cell organelles
(exception: no centrioles .....no mitosis -
amitotic)
axon- one per cell, process of neuron
conduct impulses away from the cell body
dendrites- many per cell, extension of
neuron (often branched extensively)
conduct impulses toward cell body
axon hillock- axon arises from this cone
like region of cell body
axon terminals- 100’s to 1000’s branches
at terminal end of axon contain vessicles of
neurotransmitters
collateral branch- branch off of an axon
Nerve Anatomy
synaptic cleft (synapse)- separation axon terminal and next neuron
myelin- covering of most long neurons (axon)
whitish, fatty substance protects, insulates, speeds up neural
transmission
nodes of Ranvier- gaps of myelin sheath, action potential jumps
from node to node- faster
Neurolgia
Anatomy &physiology Lec.( 7) MLT dept.
CNS
white matter- dense bundles of myelinated fibers
(tracts) brain- inside spinal cord- surface
gray matter- unmyelinated fibers and cell bodies
brain- surface spinal cord- inside
Meninges
Meninges cover the brain and spinal cord. The meninges are made
up of 3 layers:
1- Dura Mater- Outer layer of meninges
2- Arachnoid- Middle layer of meninges
3-Pia Mater- Inner layer of meninges
Anatomy &physiology Lec.( 7) MLT dept.
Central Nervous System (CNS)-comprised of brain and spinal cord
Parts of the brain:
1) Cerebrum- conscious thought and perception,
largest part of the brain
2) Cerebellum- motor control, coordinates
movement
3) Diencephalon: Thalamus and Hypothalamus
4) Brain Stem- Comprised of three parts: Medulla
Oblongata, Pons and Midbrain
The surface of the cerebrum has a folded appearance called the cortex (gray matter). The cortex contains
about 3/4th of the neurons in the brain. The neurons bodies give the cortex its characteristic grey-brown color.
Beneath the cortex the long connecting axons, rich in myelin, form the brain’s white mater. The brain’s gray
and white matter are best observed in a coronal section
The folding of the cortex increases the brain’s surface area allowing more neurons to fit inside the skull and
enabling higher functions. Each fold is called a gyrus, and each groove between folds is called a sulcus
(separates the lobes). The various gyrus and sulcus areas define specific brain regions.
Anatomy &physiology Lec.( 7) MLT dept.
Right brain – Left-brain
The right and left hemispheres of the brain are connected by the corpus callosum that delivers messages from one side
to the other, and coordinates the functions of the two sides. Each hemisphere controls the opposite site of the body
( lateralization)
Lobes of the brain
Learn to identify the major lobes and fissures of the brain and the function of the major lobes.
Frontal lobe
Personality, behavior, emotions Judgment,
planning, problem solving Speech: speaking and
writing (Broca’s area) Body movement (motor
strip) Intelligence, concentration, self a wareness.
Temporal lobe
Understanding language (Wernicke’s area)
Memory Hearing Sequencing and organization
Parietal lobe
Interprets language, words Sense of touch, pain, temperature (sensory strip) Interprets signals from vision, hearing,
motor, sensory and memory Spatial and visual perception
Occipital lobe
Interprets vision (color, light, movement)
Cerebrospinal fluid
Flows between layers of meninges and helps protect and provide cushion for the brain.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Peripheral nerves; Sensory neurons that communicate to the CNS •
The 12 pairs of Cranial Nerves are PNS nerves which originate in the brain. Some are sensory, some are motor, and
some are mixed.
• The 31 pairs of Spinal Nerves start in the spinal cord and have both sensory and motor functions which are
cervical plexus, brachial ple xus, lumbar plexus and sacrl plexus.
The Blood-Brain Barrier The blood-brain barrier separates the circulating blood from the fluid in the CNS. It
functions to prevent toxins from getting to the brain
Anatomy &physiology Lec.( 7) MLT dept.
