NERVOUS SYSTEM
(Organization, Neurons, Basic Functions of
synapses, and Neurotransmitters)
LECTURE
Nervous System
- Primary control system of the body
- provides for higher mental function and
emotional expression, maintains
homeostasis, and regulates the activities of
muscles and glands.
- Master control and communication system
of the body.
- Every thought, action, and emotion reflects
its activity.
- communicates with body cells using
electrical impulses, which are rapid and
specific and cause almost immediate
responses.
- acts as coordinated unit, both structurally
and functionally.
Endocrine System
- Second important regulating system.
- produces hormones that are released into
the blood.
2 CLASSIFICATON OF THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM
1. Structural Classification
- All nervous systems organs
- has two subdivisions:
 Central Nervous System
- consists of the brain and spinal
cord, which occupy the dorsal body
cavity and act as the integrating and
command centers of the nervous
system.
- They interpret incoming sensory
information and issue instructions
based on past experience and
current conditions.
 Peripheral Nervous System
- includes all parts of the nervous
system outside the CNS.
- consists mainly of the nerves that
extend from the spinal cord and
brain.
 Spinal Nerves
-carry impulses to and from
the spinal cord.
 Cranial Nerves
-carry impulses to and from
the brain.
2. Functional Classification
- concerned only with PNS structures
- It divides them into two principal
subdivisions:
 Sensory division or afferent division
- Afferent means to go toward
- Consists of nerves that convey
impulses to the central nervous
system from sensory receptors
located in various parts of the
body.
- Keeps the CNS constantly
informed of events going on both
inside and outside the body.
 Somatic sensory (Afferent)
fibers
-soma means body
-sensory fibers delivering
impulses from the skin,
skeletal muscles, and joints
 Visceral sensory (Afferent)
fibers
-those transmitting impulses
from the visceral organs.
 Motor division or efferent division
- carries impulses from the CNS to
effector organs, the muscles and
glands; they effect a motor
response.
- has two subdivisions:
 Somatic nervous system
- voluntary nervous system
- allows us to consciously, or
voluntarily, control our
skeletal muscles but not all
 Autonomic nervous system
(ANS)
-involuntary nervous system
-regulates events that are
automatic or involuntary,
such as the activity of
smooth muscle, cardiac
muscle, and glands.
-has two parts:
 o Sympathetic  Peripheral Neuroglia
o Parasympathetic  Schwann cells: cell produce myelin
MAJOR LEVELS OF CENTRAL NERVOUS sheath in the PNS
SYSTEM FUNCTION  Satellite cells: cells that surrounds
the neuron body to establish and
1. Spinal Cord Level maintain a control microenvironment
 Walking movements and provide pathway of metabolic
 Reflexes that withdraw from change.
pain  Misc
 Reflexes that stiffen the legs o Teloglia: Skeletal muscle
 Reflexes that control local o Enteric neuroglia: GI
blood vessels, GI, or urinary o Muller’s cells: retina/eye
excretion
2. Lower Brain or Subcortical Level
 Medulla
 Pons
 Mesencephalon
 Hypothalamus
 Thalamus
 Cerebellum
 Basal ganglia
3. Higher Brain or Cortical Level
-extremely large memory storehouse
 Memory

NERVOUS TISSUE: Structure and Function

Nervous Tissue is made up of just two

principal types of cells:
1. Supporting Cells
-are “lumped together” as neuroglia,
literally, “nerve glue” also called glial
cells or glia.
- Neuroglia include many types of
cells that support, insulate, and
protect the delicate neurons
 Central Neuroglia
 Astrocytes: provides physical and
metabolic support of the neuron
 Oligodendrocytes: counterparts of
the schwann cells in the CNS and
responsible formation and
maintenance of your myelin sheaths
in the CNS.
 Microglia: phagocytes properties.
 Ependymal cells: line the ventricles
of the brain and the central canal of
the spinal cord, this is where your
CSF moves.