1.
Central Nervous System
The CNS consist of brain & the spinal cord.
Neurons of CNS are supported by non
excitable cells (Glial cells) called as Neuroglia.
They makes up about ¼ to ½ volume of brain
tissue.
Neuroglia can replicate through out life.
There are 4 types of Glial cells ([Link],
Oligodendrocytes, Microglia, Ependymal cells.)
Astrocytes.
Astrocytes forms the main supporting tissue C.N.S.
These are star shaped with fine branching process & lies in a
mucopolysaccharide ground substance.
Astrocytes has small swellings at their free ends called as
Foot Processes.
These foot processes forms sleeve round the blood vessel &
separates blood from neurons thus capillary walls &
Astrocytes together constitute the Blood Brain Barrier.
Blood Brain Barrier is a selective barrier & protects brain from
potentially toxic substances & chemical variations in blood.
e.g. After meal O2, CO2 Alcohol barbiturates glucose & Lipophilic
substances quickly cross the Blood Brain Barrier.& some large
molecules, drugs, inorganic ions & amino acids pass slowly from blood
to brain.
Oligodendrocytes.
These are smaller than Astrocytes & founds in
cluster round nerve cell bodies in gray matter &
supports nerve cells.
These are also found adjacent to & along the
length of Myelinated Nerve fibers.
Functions:-
Support gray matter in brain.
Maintain Myelin & functions as Schwann cells in
peripheral nerves.
Microglia.
Microglia are derived from Monocytes migrated
from blood into nervous system before birth.
These are found in the area of blood vessels.
Functions:-
Protection by phagocytic action in response to
microbes, inflammation or injured cells.
Ependymal Cells.
These cells forms epithelial lining of the
ventricles of the brain & central canal of the
spinal cord.
Function:-
These cells forms choroid Plexuses of the
ventricles & secreting cerebrospinal fluid.
(i.e.C.S.F.)
The Meninges.
Brain & Spinal cord are completely covered by three
layers of tissue called as Meninges.
Meninges lying between Skull & Brain, between vertebral
foramina & spinal cord.
The of Meninges of brain from outside to inside :-
1. Dura matter.
2. Arachnoid matter.
3. Pia matter.
Dura & Arachnoid matter are separated by & potential
space & Subdural Space.
Arachnoid matter & Pia matter are separated by Sub-
Arachnoid space containing a fluid called as
Cerebrospinal Fluid (C.S.F.).
1. Dura Matter.
Cerebral Dura mater consist of two layers of dense fibrous
tissue outer layer takes place of periosteum on inner
surface of skull bones & inner layer provides protecting
covering to brain.
There is only potential space between dura except where
inner layer sweeps inwards between cerebral hemisphere
(Falx cerebri) & between Cerebellar hemisphere (Falx
cerebelli) & cerebrum & Cerebellum (Tentorium Cerebelli).
Venous blood from brain drain into venous sinuses
between two layers of dura matter (Falx cerebri) & strait &
transverse sinuses at tentorium cerebelli.
Dura Matter Continued….
Spinal Dura matter form loose sheath round the spinal cord
from Foramen Magnum to the S2 vertebra, after this it encloses
the Filum terminale & fuses to periosteum of the Coccyx.
Spinal dura matter is an extension of inner layer of cerebral
dura matter.
It attaches to the Foramen Magnum & to the posterior
longitudinal ligament through number of fibrous slips.
These attachment provides stable support to the spinal cord in
a Neural canal.
As the Nerves entering & leaving the spinal cord pass through
the space formed by Spinal dura & periosteum of Vertebrae
(Epidural Space).
Epidural space contains blood vessels & aeriolar tissue in which
some times medicines (Dyes, Local anesthetic ) are injected to
relieve pain.
2. Arachnoid Matter.
It is composed of fibrous tissue.
It is separated from dura matter by Subdural space &
from Pia matter by Subarachnoid space containing
C.S.F.
The Arachnoid matter passes over the convolutions of
brain & accompanies the inner layer of dura matter in
formation of Falx cerebri, tentorium cerebelli & Falx
cerebelli.
It continues downward to envelop spinal cord & ends
at S2 vertebra by merging with dura matter.
3. Pia Matter.
Pia matter is delicate layer of connective tissue.
It adheres to brain & completely covers brain by
deepening into each fissure & convolutions.
It contains minute blood vessels.
In spinal canal it continues covering spinal cord
beyond the end of spinal cord it covers Filum
terminale.
After covering the Filum terminale it pierces the
Arachnoid tube & goes on with the dura matter
to fuse with periosteum of the coccyx.
The Ventricles of the Brain & C.S.F.
Within the Brain there are 4 irregular shaped
cavities called as Ventricles.
Ventricles of brain contains a fluid known as
Cerebrospinal Fluid (C.S.F.).
Ventricles of Brain are named as:-
Right & Left Ventricles.
Third Ventricle.
Fourth Ventricle.
1. Lateral Ventricles.
These ventricles lies within the cerebral
hemisphere one on each side of the median
plain just below the Corpus Callosum.
Two ventricles are separated by a thin
membrane called Septum Lucidum.
Ventricles are lined by Ciliated epithelium.
They communicates with the 3rd ventricle by
inter ventricular Foramina.
3rd & 4th Ventricle.
Third Ventricle is situated below the lateral ventricles
between two parts of Thalamus.
It communicate with 4th ventricle by a canal called
Cerebral Aqueduct.
Fourth ventricle is diamond shaped cavity situated
below & behind the 3rd ventricle between Cerebellum
& Pons.
It is continuous with central canal of Spinal cord and
communicates with Subarachnoid space by foramen
at its roof.
C.S.F. enters the Subarachnoid space through the
foramen of 4th ventricle & through the open distal end
of cerebral canal of spinal cord.
Cerebro Spinal Fluid.
Cerebro spinal fluid is secreted into each ventricle of brain by
Choroid plexuses.
Choroid plexuses are vascular areas where proliferated
blood vessels surrounds Ependymal cells in the lining of
ventricular walls.
C.S.F. pass back into blood through tiny diverticula of the
Arachnoid matter called as Arachnoid Villi (Arachnoid
granulations) which projects into the venous sinuses.
Movement of C.S.F. depends upon pressure on each side of
villi.
Arachnoid villi acts as one way valves so C.S.F. passes in
veins when CSF pressure > Venus pressure but when
pressure changes opposite villi collapse & prevents passage
of blood constituents in CSF.
C.S.F. circulation
CSF enters into the Subarachnoid space through the
foramina at roof of 4th ventricle & it surrounds the brain
& spinal cord.
There is no any intrinsic system of CSF circulation but
it is aided by Pulsation of blood vessels, respiration &
position change.
CSF secretion is continuous with the rate of
0.5ml/minute (720ml/day).
Total volume of CSF remains constant at about 120ml
([Link] secretion = CSF absorption).
CSF pressure is also maintained within normal limit
(around 10 cm of H2O i.e. 60-180 mm of H2O) in side
lying position while 30cm of H2O in sitting position.
CSF Composition.
CSF is clear slightly alkaline fluid containing:-
1. Water. 5. Glucose.
2. Plasma Proteins. 6. Creatinine.
3. Mineral Salt. 7. Urea.
4. Few Leucocytes.
Specific gravity of CSF is 1.005.
CSF pressure & composition (Glucose & protein) are
diagnostic for some pathological conditions i.e.
Hydrocephalus, Meningitis, Tumours, brain Atrophy.
As cranial cavity is closed cavity containing CSF &
Brain tissues any change in brain tissue
(Inflammation, Tumours) affects CSF pressure &
Volume and vice versa.
Functions Of C.S.F.
CSF supports & protects the brain & spinal
cord.
It maintains a uniform pressure around these
delicate structures.
It acts as Cushion & Shock absorber between
the brain & cranial bones.
CSF keeps the brain & spinal cord moist and
there may be interchange of substances
between CSF &Nerve cells (Nutrients, waste
products.)
