NEUROLOGIC SYSTEM

DR. CATHERINE C. SIOSON

NERVOUS SYSTEM
• Body’s communication network
• It coordinates and organizes the
functions of all other body
systems.
• Two main divisions:
• The central nervous system (CNS),
made up of the brain and spinal
cord, is the body’s control center.
• The peripheral nervous system
(PNS), containing cranial and spinal
nerves, provides communication
between the CNS and remote body
parts.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
• The neuron, or nerve cell, is
the nervous system’s
fundamental unit.
• This highly specialized
conductor cell receives and
transmits electrochemical
nerve impulses.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
• Delicate, threadlike nerve fibers
called axons and dendrites
extend from the central cell body
and transmit signals.
• Axons carry impulses away from
the cell body; dendrites carry
impulses to the cell body.
• Most neurons have multiple
dendrites but only one axon.

• Neuroglial cells provide support,

nourishment, and protection for
neurons.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
• consists of the brain and the
spinal cord.
• The fragile brain and spinal cord
are protected by the bony skull
and vertebrae, cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF), and three
membranes—the dura mater,
the arachnoid mater, and the pia
mater.
Dura mater
• Latin for “tough mother”
• forms the outermost protective
layer
• A tough, fibrous, leatherlike tissue
composed of two layers, the
endosteal dura and the meningeal
dura.
Dura mater
• The endosteal dura forms the
periosteum of the skull and is
continuous with the lining of the
vertebral canal
• The meningeal dura, a thick
membrane, covers the brain,
dipping between the brain tissue
and providing support and
protection.
Arachnoid mater
• Latin for “spider mother”
• Forms the middle protective
layer, is a thin, delicate, fibrous
membrane that loosely hugs the
brain and spinal cord.
• The arachnoid mater is
avascular.
Pia mater
• Latin for “tender mother”
• The innermost protective layer of
connective tissue that covers and
contours the spinal tissue and brain.
• The pia mater is vascular.
MENINGEAL SPACES
• Between the skull and the
dura mater is the epidural
space
• Between the dura mater and
the arachnoid mater is the
subdural space.
• Between the arachnoid
mater and the pia mater is
the subarachnoid space.
Cerebrospinal fluid
• Within the subarachnoid
space and the brain’s
four ventricles is CSF
• CSF is a liquid composed
of water and traces of
protein, glucose, and
minerals.
• This fluid protects the
brain and spinal tissue
from jolts and blows.
INTRACRANIAL HEMORRHAGES
Cerebrum
• Largest part of the brain
• Houses the nerve center that controls
sensory and motor activities and
intelligence.
Cerebrum

• The outer layer, the cerebral cortex,

consists of neuron cell bodies (gray
matter).
• The inner layer consists of axons
(white matter) plus basal ganglia,
which control motor coordination and
steadiness.
• The right controls the left; the left controls the right
“The cerebrum is divided into the right and left hemispheres. Because
motor impulses descending from the brain cross in the medulla, the
right hemisphere controls the left side of the body and the left
hemisphere controls the right side of the body.”

• Several fissures divide the cerebrum into lobes. Each lobe has a
specific function.
• Fissure of Sylvius, or the lateral sulcus: temporal lobe | frontal and
parietal lobes
• Fissure of Rolando, or the central sulcus: frontal lobes | parietal lobe
• Parieto-occipital fissure: occipital lobe | two parietal lobes.
LOBE FUNCTION:
LOBE FUNCTION:
THALAMUS
• Relay center in the cerebrum
• further organizes cerebral function by
transmitting impulses to and from
appropriate areas of the cerebrum
• The thalamus is also responsible for
primitive emotional responses such as
fear and for distinguishing pleasant
stimuli from unpleasant ones.
HYPOTHALAMUS
• located beneath the thalamus
• an autonomic center with
connections to the brain, spinal cord,
autonomic nervous system, and
pituitary gland.
• It regulates temperature control,
appetite, blood pressure, breathing,
sleep patterns, and peripheral nerve
discharges that occur with behavioral
and emotional expression.
• It also partially controls pituitary
gland secretion and stress reaction.
CEREBELLUM
• lies beneath the cerebrum, at the
base of the brain.
• It coordinates muscle
movements, controls posture,
and maintains equilibrium.
BRAINSTEM
• The brain stem includes the
midbrain, pons, and medulla
oblongata.
• It houses cell bodies for most of
the cranial nerves.
• Along with the thalamus and
hypothalamus, it makes up a
nerve network called the
reticular formation, which acts
as an arousal mechanism.
BRAINSTEM
• The midbrain is the reflex center for
the third and fourth cranial nerves
and mediates pupillary reflexes and
eye movements.
• The pons helps regulate respirations.
It’s also the reflex center for the fifth
through eighth cranial nerves and
mediates chewing, taste, saliva
secretion, hearing, and equilibrium.
• The medulla oblongata influences
cardiac, respiratory, and vasomotor
functions. It’s the center for the
vomiting, coughing, and hiccupping
reflexes. Cranial nerves IX, X, and XII
emerge from the medulla.
CRANIAL NERVES
• The spinal cord extends downward from the brain to the second
lumbar vertebra. The spinal cord functions as a two-way conductor
pathway between the brain stem and the PNS.
• Spinal nerves are attached to the spinal cord by two roots:
• The anterior, or ventral, root consists of motor fibers that relay impulses from
the spinal cord to the glands and muscles.
• The posterior, or dorsal, root consists of sensory fibers that relay information
from receptors to the spinal cord.
• A swollen area of the posterior root, the posterior root ganglion, is
made up of sensory neuron cell bodies.
• The spinal cord contains a mass of gray matter divided into horns,
which consist mostly of neuron cell bodies.
• The outside of the horns is surrounded by white matter consisting of
myelinated nerve fibers grouped in vertical columns called tracts.
• The sensory, or ascending, tracts carry sensory impulses up the spinal
cord to the brain, whereas motor, or descending, tracts carry motor
impulses down the spinal cord.
How spinal nerves are numbered
• Spinal nerves are
numbered according to
their point of origin in
the spinal cord:
• 8 cervical: C1 to C8
• 12 thoracic: T1 to T12
• 5 lumbar: L1 to L5
• 5 sacral: S1 to S5
• 1 coccygeal.
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
• The PNS can be divided into the somatic nervous system and the
autonomic nervous system.
• The somatic nervous system regulates voluntary motor control.
• The autonomic nervous system helps regulate the body’s internal
environment through involuntary control of organ systems.
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
• controls involuntary body functions: digestion, respirations, and
cardiovascular function
• Divided into two antagonistic systems that balance each other to
support homeostasis:
• The sympathetic nervous system controls energy expenditure, especially in
stressful situations, by releasing the adrenergic catecholamine
norepinephrine.
• The parasympathetic nervous system helps conserve energy by releasing the
cholinergic neurohormone acetylcholine.
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
ADRENORECEPTORS (SYMPA) CHOLINORECEPTORS
(BOTH SYMPA & PARA)
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM