NERVOUS SYSTEM

LABORATORY PROCEDURE

Materials Needed:
1. preserved brain specimen
2. anatomical brain models
3. anatomical models of X-section of the spinal cord
4. torso models showing the spinal cord and meninges

Examine the preserved brain specimen or brain model in the following

views: anterior or basal, posterior, lateral and medial.

Identify the following: cerebrum, diencephalon, midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata and
cerebellum.
Label the important features of the medial surface of the brain
Showing above structures.
Marginal sulcus

Pre – cenral Cerebrum

sulcus
Choroid plexus
Lingual
gyrus Striatrum medullaris

Corpus callosum
Cerebellum

Thalamus Pons

Medulla oblongata
Hypothalamus

Studying the lateral surface of the cerebrum, one will notice that it will simulate the shape when
you make a fist. Your index finger will correspond to the frontal lobe, the thumb to the temporal lobe
and the wrist to occipital lobe.

Identify the 5 lobes of the cerebrum. Name them.

1. Frontal
2. Parietal
3. Occipital
4. Temporal
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 5. Insula

What are the sulci and fissures that are seen in the lateral surface? What do they separate?

The frontal lobe is defined on this surface by a fissure called central sulcus (fissure of Rolando)
which runs downwards and forwards towards a second fissure called the lateral sulcus (fissure of
Sylvius), which also defines the this lobe.These are the superior and inferior frontal sulci.

Label the important gyri and sulci in the lateral surface of the cerebrum.

Pre –central gyrus

Post central gyrus
Central sulcus of
Orlando

Frontal lobe

Lateral sylvian
Superior temporal fissure
gyrus

Pre central gyrus

Post central gyrus

Lateral sylvian fissure

Occipital lobe

Superior temporal gyrus

Inferior temporal
gyrus Median temporal gyrus

Inferior sulcus

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 Name 10 cortical area and their functions

1. Primary motor area – voluntary movements

2. Pre motor area – controls and influences motor area
3. Pre frontal area – behavioral state
4. Primary sensory area – sensations of proprioception
5. Motor speech area
6. Auditory or hearing area
7. Sensory
8. Visual
9. Olfactory
10. Taste area

Enumerate the important gyri and sulci of the different cerebral lobes in the medial
surface of the brain.

1. Pre central gyrus

2. Post central gyrus
3. Lateral sylvian
4. Central sulcus of Rolando
5. Cingulate gyrus
6. Cingulate sulcus
7. Cuneus
8. Calcarine sulcus
9. Parieto occipital

Get a X-section of the cerebrum and locate the basal ganglia. Label the parts.

Putamen

Globus
pallidus

Caudate
nucleus

Identify the thalamus and hypothalamus. Describe each and give their functions.

Now turn the brain to its basal surface. Label important parts of cerebrum, brainstem and cerebellum.
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 Olfactory bulb

Cerebellum
Optic nerve

Pons

Medulla

Identify the main lobes of the cerebellum and their functions.

 Anterior lobe movements

 Posterior lobe movements
 Ploculonocular lobe equilibrium

Using preserved specimen or models trace the pathway of CSF from site of production to its
drainage.

Lateral ventricle – interventricular foramen of Monroe – 3rd ventricle

Aqueduct of sylvius – 4th ventricle – foramen of lusch – subarachnoid

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 Describe and label the fibrous protective covering of both the brain and spinal cord.

Falx cerebri

Tentorium
cerebri

Dura mater

Arachnoid
matter

Pia matter

Discuss the spaces found related with the meninges and their contents.
 Epidural space- potential space below dura and bone
 Subdural space- between dula and arachnoid
 Subarachnoid

Identify the 12 pairs of cranial nerves. Give their functional classifications and at least 2
functions for each.

Names of Cranial Nerves Functional Classification Functions ( 2)

I OLFACTORY SENSORY SMELL

II OPTIC SENSORY SIGHT

III OCULOMOTOR MOTOR Raises upper eyelids, turns

eyeball, downward.
IV TROCHLEAR MOTOR Assists In turning the eyeball

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 laterally
V TRIGEMINAL SENSORY+ MOTOR Upper and middle parts or skin
and fascial muscle of masticate
VI ABDUCENS MOTOR Lateral rectus muscle

VII FACIAL MOTOR+SENSORY Facial expression

VIII VESTIBULOCHLEAR SENSORY Equilibrium

IX MOTOR+SENSORY Swallowing
GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL

X VAGUS MOTOR+ SENSORY Auditory

XI ACCESORY MOTOR Pharynx+ larynx

XII HYPOGLOSSAL MOTOR Tongue movement

Spinal nerve

Cauda equina

Filum terminate

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 Using anatomical model of torso. Study the spinal cord. Name the landmarks of its upper and
lower extents in both adults and children. Label.

Label a X-section of the spinal cord with the attached spinal nerves and label the parts.

Posterior
median fissure

Dorsal horn

Spinal nerve Lateral horn Ventral horn Anterior median

fissure
Discuss the effects of the sympathetics and parasympathetics on the following organs:

Sympathetic Parasympathetic
1. Pupils dilates constrict

2. Peripheral Blood vessels constrict dilate

3. Bronchial tree dilate constrict

4. Heart up HR down HR

5. GIT down Motility Up motility

6. Urinary bladder relax contract

7. Reproductive organs ejaculation erection

8. Sweat gland sweating