ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY LAB

Somatic Nervous System

COVERAGE:
I. Nervous system  AFFERENT DIVISION
i. Organization of the Nervous - Consists of nerve cells that receive and
System process sensory input from the skin,
II. Neurons voluntary muscles, tendons, joints, eyes,
i. Its Structure and Function tongue, nose, and ears.
III. Classifications of Neurons  EFFERENT DIVISION
- Consists of neuronal pathways that
descend from the brain through the
I. NERVOUS SYSTEM brainstem and spinal cord to influence the
 is the major controlling, regulatory, and lower motor neurons of the cranial and
communicating system in the body. It is the spinal nerves.
center of all mental activity including thought,
learning, and memory. Together with the
endocrine system, the nervous system is
responsible for regulating and maintaining
homeostasis. Through its receptors, the nervous
system keeps us in touch with our environment,
both external and internal.

On the basis of gross anatomy, the nervous

system is usually divided into:
 Central Nervous System
 Peripheral Nervous System Visceral Nervous System (Autonomic Nervous
System)

 AFFERENT DIVISION
CENTRAL NERVOUS PERIPHERAL - Includes the neural structures involved in
SYSTEM NERVOUS SYSTEM conveying sensory information from
Component organs: Component Organs: sensory receptors in the visceral organs of
 Brain  Cranial Nerves the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive,
 Spinal Cord  Spinal Nerves urinary, and reproductive systems.
Body’s central control  EFFERENT DIVISION
system - Includes the neural structures involved in
Receiving and Allow the brain and the motor activities that influence the
integrating or spinal cord to
smooth (involuntary) muscle, cardiac
interpreting all stimuli communicate with the
and relaying nerve rest of the body. (heart) muscle, and glands of the skin and
impulses to muscles and viscera.
glands, where the - Is the modulator, adjuster and coordinator
designated actions of “involuntary” visceral activities such as
actually take place. the heart rate and the secretion of glands.
THIS IS FURTHER DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS:
SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
- Stimulates activities that are mobilized
during emergency and stress situations,
the so-called fight, fright and flight
responses.
- These include acceleration of the heart
rate and strength of contraction, increase
in the blood sugar concentration and
increase in blood pressure.

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PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
- Directs activities with the conservation
and restoration body resources.
- These include a decrease in the heart rate
and strength of contraction, and the rise in
gastrointestinal activities associated with
increase digestion and absorption.
The neuron cell body contains a large round
nucleus surrounded by cytoplasm.
The cytoplasm is riddled with neurofibrils,
cytoskeletal elements of the neurons which have a
support and intracellular transport function, and an
elaborate rough endoplasmic reticulum called Nissl
bodies.

IRRITABILITY
 Is the ability of nervous tissue to respond to the
changes of the environment
CONDUCTIVITY
Neuron Processes or Neurites are running
 Is the ability of the nervous system to transmit through the CNS form tracts of white matter. In the
or convey nerve impulses from one part of the PNS they form the peripheral nerves.
body to another.
There are two (2) neurites – Axon and
Structurally, nervous tissue is made up of just two Dendrites. These differ structurally and functionally.
principal populations; Neuron and supporting cells also
called as Neuroglia or Glial Cells.
II. NEURONS OR NERVE CELLS
- NEURONS are the structural and functional units
of the nervous tissue. They are specialized to
transmit messages (nerve impulses) from one part
of the body to another. Neurons differ structurally,
but they have many features in common.

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BASIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AXON AND DENDRITES

BASIS AXON DENDRITE

1. No. per Single Numerous
neuron
2. Presence of Unbranched Highly Branched
branches except the
terminal end and
collateral
branches
3. Function Convey Convey
messages away messages
from the soma or towards the B. Structural Classification (based on the number of
body soma or body neuronal processes extending from the cell body)
4. Size and Larger and Smaller and
Length longer shorter
1. Multipolar Neurons
III. CLASSIFICATION OF NEURONS - Are neurons having several dendrites with
A. Functional Classification single neuron. All motor and association
neurons are multipolar neurons. The most
1. Afferent Neurons or Sensory Neurons common structural type of neurons.
- Are carrying impulses from the sensory 2. Bipolar Neurons
receptors (internal organs and skin) to the - Are neurons having an axon and a
CNS whose cell bodies are always found dendrite
in the ganglia outside the CNS. - Rare in adults and are found only in some
- Sensory receptors are the distal ends special sense organs (eye, nose)
dendrites that are activated by specific 3. Unipolar Neurons
changes occurring nearby. - Are neurons that have a single process
2. Efferent Neurons or Motor Neurons emerging from the cell body.
- Carrying impulses from the CNS to the - Dendrites are small branches at the end
viscera and/or muscles glands whose cell of the axon; the rest of the parts are axon
bodies are always located in the CNS. - Sensory neurons found in the PNS ganglia
- These terminate into the effector organs or are unipolar.
structures where appropriate responses
are carried out (reflex act or reflex).

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