The NERVOUS SYSTEM

Through its receptors, it keeps us

in touch with both the external
and internal environment
Action potential
Interpretation
(touch: stimulus) Nerves in the
Sensory Receptor Brain
Spinal Cord

It is the major
controlling, regulatory,
and communicating
system of the body
 Together with the endocrine
system, it is responsible in
regulating and maintaining
homeostasis

It is the center for all mental

activity including thought,
learning and memory
It participates in controlling skeletal,
cardiac, and smooth muscles, and
many glands.
2 Cells of the
Nervous System
1. NEURON
2. NEUROGLIA
Neuron and its Parts
2. 3.
Axon hillock - the area where the axon leaves the
neuron cell body
Collateral axon - branched or unbranched form of
axon
Schwann cells - in PNS, provides an insulating
material that surrounds axon
Myelin sheaths - are specialized layers that wrap
around the axons of some neurons
Nodes of Ranvier - gaps in the myelin
shealth(unyelinated area of axon)
Presynaptic terminal - form at the end of the axon
Myelin Sheath
Types of Neurons Based on the
Number of Processes
CELL TYPE DESCRIPTION FUNCTIONS

NEURON

Multipolar Several Most neurons

dendrites and and most CNS
one axon. neurons
Bipolar One dendrite Found in
and one axon special
organs such
as the eye and
the nose
Unipolar A neuron with Most sensory
a single axon neurons
 Neuroglia Descriptions Functions Pictures

1. Astrocyte Star-shaped - Structural

support of
the CNS;
- contributes
to the
formation
of blood-
brain
barrier
2. Squamous - line the CSF-
epithelial-like filled
Ependymal
ventricles in
the brain &
the central
canal of
spinal cord
3. Microglia Small mobile Phagocytic
cells that protects
the CNS
from
infection

4.Oligoden- With Provide

drocytes processes support &
insulation to
axons in the
CNS.
Myelinate
axons in the
CNS.
5. Schwann Single cell Myelinate
cells axons in the
PNS
Provides rapid and precise communication
between different parts of the body via the
action of specialised nerve cells called
neurons
Central nervous system (CNS) – BRAIN
AND SPINAL CORD
Peripheral nervous system (PNS) -
comprising the nerves which run between
the CNS and other tissues, together with
nerve ‘relay stations’ termed ganglia
 Parts of the Brain Descriptions/Locations Functions

1. Brainstem - most inferior part, - Controls heart rate,

connected to the spinal blood pressure, and
cord breathing

a. medulla - most inferior part of the - Regulates heart rate,

oblongata brainstem diameter of the blood
vessels, breathing,
swallowing, vomiting,
coughing, sneezing, etc.

b. pons - superior to medulla - Bridge between the

oblongata cerebrum and
cerebellum
- Control breathing,
swallowing, balance,
chewing, and salivation

c. midbrain - superior to pons - colliculi: (superior part)

- smallest region of the involved in visual reflex;
brainstem (inferior) relay centers
for auditory nerves in
the CNS
- Substantia Nigra:
regulation of body
movement
2. Cerebellum - “LITTLE BRAIN” - Involved in balance,
maintenance of muscle
tone, and coordination of
fine motor movement

3. Diencephalon - between the brainstem

and the cerebrum

a. Thalamus - largest part - Influences mood

- Registers unlocalized
uncomfortable
perception of pain

b. Epithalamus - Small area superior and - Emotional and visceral

posterior to thalamus response to odor
- Where pineal body is

c. Hypothalamus - Most inferior part - Maintains homeostasis

- Controls body
temperature, hunger
and thirst
- Sensation of sexual
pleasure, feeling relaxed
and good after meal,
rage and fear
 hormones by the
pituitary gland
4. Cerebrum - Largest part of the
brain
- Gyri: folds
- Sulci: grooves
a. Frontal lobe - motivation,
aggression, mood,
olfactory reception
b. Parietal lobe - Reception and
perception of sensory
information (touch,
pain, temperature,
balance, taste)
c. Occipital lobe - Reception and
perception of visual
d. Temporal lobe - Olfactory and
auditory sensations;
“psychic cortex” - Inferior and anterior memory
parts - Abstract thought
and judgement
LOBES of the BRAIN
Hemispheres of the
Brain

 1. LEFT CEREBRAL
HEMISPHERE
 Receives inputs from and
controls muscle in the right half
of the body
 It is thought to be the more
analytical hemisphere,
emphasizing such skills as
mathematics and speech
2.RIGHT CEREBRAL
HEMISPHERE
Receives sensory inputs from and
controls muscular activity in the
left half of the body.
This is thought to be involved
more in functions such as
three-dimensional or spatial
perception and musical ability.
 The Spinal Cord

THE SPINAL CORD LIES WITHIN THE SPINAL

CAVITY OF THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN, EXTENDING
FROM THE FORAMEN MAGNUM AT THE BASE OF
THE SKULL TO THE SECOND LUMBAR VERTEBRA
 1. It provides the two-way conduction
routes to/from (afferent/efferent) the
brain
 2. It serves as the reflex center for all
spinal reflexes
31pairs of nerves connect to the spinal
cord
8 cervical (C1-C8), 12 thoracic (T1-
T12), 5 lumbar (L1-L5), 5 sacral
(S1-S5), and 1 coccygeal pairs of
spinal nerves. 
Surround and
protect the
brain and
spinal cord
MENINGEAL MEMBRANES
The most superficial and
thickest among the
meninges
Surrounded by epidural
space (epidural
anesthesia)
2. Arachnoid Membrane

Very thin, wispy

Where to take sample of
cerebrospinal fluid
Very tightly bound to
the surface of the
brain and spinal cord
 Thecentral nervous system, which
consists of the brain and spinal
cord, contains two types of tissue. ...
Gray matter contains neural cells,
dendrites, and axon terminals,
while white matter consists of axons
and myelin, and plays a key role in
nerve cells' ability to connect to
one another.
CONSISTS OF:
Ø12 PAIRS OF CRANIAL NERVES
Ø31 PAIRS OF SPINAL NERVES.
CRANIAL NERVES
THE 12 CRANIAL NERVES
 Consists of the sensory neurons and
motor neurons
 It is responsible for monitoring
conditions in the internal environment
and bringing about appropriate
changes in them
 Thecontraction of both smooth muscle
and cardiac muscle
e.g., skin

e.g.,
muscle
“Fight-or-flight” system
it prepares the body for
physical activity to either
stand and face the threat
or leave as quickly as
possible
 Stimulates vegetative activities,
such as digestion, defecation,
and urination.
 Slows the heart rate and
respiration
 Causes the pupil of the eye to
constrict and the lens to
thicken
Clinical
Consideration
EPILEPSY

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/infographic/mental-health/epilepsy/en/
 Huntington's disease
Degeneration of nerve
cells in the brain

http://www.exercise-works.org/latest-news/2016/4/28/provision-of-physical-activity-for-people-with-huntingtons-d-1.html
Alzheimer's disease
Multiple sclerosis 
 Parkinson's disease

 which is a progressive nerve disease that affects movement

http://blogs.narayanahealth.org/what-is-parkinsons-disease/
Cerebal palsy
https://www.gillettechildrens.org/get-involved/cerebral-palsy-awareness
 Bell’s palsy

 neuritisthat involves
paralysis of the
facial nerve
 weakness of the
muscles of one side
of the face
 inability to close the
eye http://www.clinicanaconecy.com.br/areas-de-atuacao/paralisia-facial/
Amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis

  (ALS),
also known as Lou
Gehrig's disease, is a motor
neuron disease which
weakens the muscles and
progressively hampers
physical function
Sciatica

 A common condition arising from compression

of, or damage to, a nerve or nerve root.
 Usually caused by degeneration of an
intervertebral disc, which protrudes laterally to
compress a lower lumbar or an upper sacral
spinal nerve root.
 The onset may be sudden, brought on by an
awkward lifting or twisting movement.
Hyper-reflexia

l refers to hyperactive or repeating (clonic)

reflexes.
l Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a condition in
which involuntary nervous system overreacts to
external or bodily stimuli. It's also known as
autonomic hyperreflexia. This reaction causes: a
dangerous spike in blood pressure.
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