NERVOUS SYSTEM

- Derives its name from nerves

- The organized network of nerve tissue in the body

PURPOSE

- Coordinates all activities of the body

- Enables the body to respond and adapt to changes both inside and out

TWO PARTS OF NERVOUS SYSTEM: CNS AND PNS

• CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS)

TWO MAJOR STRUCTURES: BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD

- BRAIN
 - On average, the brain weighs between 1.3 to 1.4 kg, with about 60% of the brain
consisting of fat. The remaining 40% of the brain consists of protein, water, carbohydrates, and
salts.
- The brain consists of both gray and white matter. Gray matter typically processes and
interprets information, whereas white matter transmits information to other areas of the
nervous system. Gray matter, which is darker in color and surrounds white matter, consists of
neuron somas, and round central cell bodies. White matter, which is lighter in color and
comprises the inner portion of the brain, is primarily made up of axons, the long stems that
connect neurons.
- Neurons also called nerves are nerve cells that send messages all over your
body to allow you to do everything from breathing to talking, eating, walking,
and thinking. It’s like cables that carry electrical impulses between your brain
and the rest of your body. These impulses help you feel sensations and move
your muscles. They also maintain certain autonomic functions like breathing,
sweating or digesting food.
- Each nerve cell consists of the cell body, which includes the nucleus, a
major branching fiber (axon) and numerous smaller branching fibers
(dendrites).
- Cell Body is the compact section of a nerve cell that contains the nucleus and
the cytoplasm. It is the metabolic center of the neuron.
- Neuron Somas is where the nucleus lies, where the neuron's DNA is housed,
and where proteins are made to be transported throughout the axon and
dendrites. The tree-like structure of a neuron.
1. CEREBRUM
- Largest section. Makes up 85% of the brain's weight
- Starts and manages conscious thoughts; meaning, things that you actively think about or do
- Two hemisphere: Left and Right
- Four Lobes: Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, and Occipital
- F: Reasoning and Thought
- P: Integrates sensory information
- T: Processing auditory information from the ears
- O: Processing visual information from the eyes

2. CEREBELLUM

- Small part of your brain

- Processes and regulates signals between other parts of your brain and body, and is involved in
coordinating functions of your body (for example: Balance, Muscle coordination, Posture, and
Muscle tone).
3. DIENCEPHALON
- Also known as the Forebrain
- Acts as a primary relay and processing center for sensory information and autonomic control
- Two structure: Thalamus and Hypothalamus
- Thalamus directs sensory impulses to the cerebrum
- Hypothalamus controls and regulates temperature, appetite, water balance, sleep,
and blood vessel constriction and dilation. Also plays a role in the emotion.
- Subthalamus is the most ventral part of the diencephalon and is involve in movement
regulation
- Epithalamus is a dorsal posterior segment of the diencephalon. Its function is the secretion of
melatonin by the pineal gland.

4. BRAINSTEM is the structure that connects the cerebrum of the brain to the spinal cord and
cerebellum. It is composed of three sections in descending order: the midbrain, pons, and
medulla oblongata.
- MIDBRAIN

- The topmost part of the brainstem, the connection central between the brain and the
spinal cord.
- Its functions are movement of the body and head, as it provides passage for downward
pathways for the cerebral cortex.
 - It is a channel for the spinal cord transmitting stimuli (sensory) from the head and body
to the direct brain.
- There are three main parts of the midbrain - the colliculi, the tegmentum, and the
cerebral peduncles.
- Colliculi involves respectively in vision and hearing.
- Tegmentum contains a network of nuclei responsible for many vital functions
including arousal, consciousness, sleep-wake cycles, coordination of certain
movements, and cardiovascular control.
- Cerebral Peduncles are the main highway for signals that need to be
transported from the cortex to other parts of the central nervous system (CNS),
and are especially important for body coordination
- PONS handles unconscious processes and jobs, such as your sleep-wake cycle and breathing. It
also contains several junction points for nerves that control muscles and carry information from
senses in your head and face.
- MEDULLA OBLONGATA helps control vital processes like your heartbeat, breathing and blood
pressure. The primary respiratory control center. Also known as “The center for Respiration”.

- SPINAL CORD

- A cylindrical structure that runs through the center of your spine, from your brainstem to your low
back. It's a delicate structure that contains nerve bundles and cells that carry messages from your
brain to the rest of your body.

- Divided into four regions: Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, and Spinal Nerves

- Cervical: The cervical spine (neck region) consists of seven bones (C1-C8 vertebrae), which are
separated from one another by intervertebral discs. These discs allow the spine to move freely and
act as shock absorbers during activity.
 - Thoracic: Twelve vertebrae are located in the thoracic spine and are numbered T-1 to T-12.
Each number corresponds with the nerves in that section of the spinal cord:

- T-1 through T-5 nerves affect muscles, upper chest, mid-back and abdominal muscles.
These nerves and muscles help control the rib cage, lungs, diaphragm and muscles that help you
breathe.

- T-6 through T-12 nerves affect abdominal and back muscles. These nerves and muscles are
important for balance and posture, and they help you cough or expel foreign matter from your
airway.

- Lumbar: Lumbar spine is the lower back region of your spinal column or backbone. It consists
of five bones (L1-L5). Supports the weight of your body and allows a wide range of body movements.

- Spinal Nerves: In total, there are 31 pairs of spinal nerves grouped regionally by spinal region.
More specifically, there are eight cervical nerve pairs (C1-C8), twelve thoracic nerve pairs (T1-T12), five
lumbar nerve pairs (L1-L5), 5 sacral (S1-S5), and a single coccygeal nerve pair.
• PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS)