Nervous System

Protections of the CNS

1- Skull and Vertebral coloumn .
2- Three protective layers called meninges:
Dura Mater (outer layer): consists of
connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves.
Arachnoid Layer (middle layer): elastic and
weblike
Pia Mater (inner layer): contains nerves and
blood vessels.
3- Cerebrospinal fluid
a clear watery liquid
separates the middle and inner layers
Acts as shock absorber
exchange of nutrients between blood and
nervous system
 The Brain
The brain is the
control center of the
body
It is about 2% of your
body weight and uses
20% of your body’s
oxygen
 Parts of the Brain
Divided into three parts
Cerebrum
Cerebellum
Brain Stem
 Cerebrum
Is the body´s ultimate control and information
processing center .
 Cerebrum consists of:

Two hemispheres - Right and Left

Right side controls- left side
Left side controls – right side of body
Four lobes :
1. Frontal Lobe 2. Parietal
Lobe
3. Occipital Lobe 4.Temporal
Lobe
Frontal lobe ---------- motor cortex
Parietal lobe ------------sensory cortex
Occipital lobe -----------visual cortex
Temporal lobe -----------auditory cortex
Gray Matter vs. White Matter
Gray Matter –accounts for the outer part of
the cerebrum – Cerebral Cortex
White Matter -– inner layer of cerebrum
 Cerebellum

located below
the cerebrum at
back of skull
responsible for
the balance and
muscle
coordination
 Brain Stem
Connects the brain to spinal cord
Consists of two regions:
1-Pons – Relays signals between the
cerebrum and the cerebellum
2- Medulla Oblongata – Controls
heart rate, breathing rate, and flow of
blood through the blood vessels.
 Other Structures inside the Brain

Thalamus – receives messages from

sensory receptors; relays information to
proper regions of cerebrum
Hypothalamus - Regulates hunger,
thirst, fatigue and anger.
- Control of pituitary for endocrine
function
Section 35-3

Cerebru
m
Thalamu
s
Pineal
gland

Hypothalamu
s
Pituitary Cerebellu
gland m

Pon
s
Medulla oblongata Spinal
cord
 Spinal Cord
31 pairs of spinal nerves
Functions
Ascending and descending neural tracts
Responsible for spinal reflexes (relatively
simple decisions)
Link between brain and rest of body (PNS)
Reflex – quick, automatic, unconscious
responses