The Nervous

System
CNN 111/L – 3971
Anatomy and Physiology
Objectives:

• To understand the
complexity of the
Nervous System
• To delve deeper into
its part
Overview of the
Report
 Contents
• Overview of of theSystem
the Nervous Report
• Functions of the Nervous System
•Divisions of the Nervous System (CNS and PNS)
• The Central Nervous System
• The Brain and its Parts
• The Spinal Cord
• The Meninges, The Ventricles and
The Cerebrospinal Fluid
 Contents of the Report

• The Peripheral Nervous System

• Sensory Division and Motor Division
• Division of Motor Division (Somatic NS and Autonomic NS)

• Division of Autonomic NS
• Cells of the Nervous System (Nerves and Neuroglias)
• Cranial Nerves
 Functions of the Nervous
System
01 Receiving sensory input
Sensory receptors monitor numerous external
and internal stimuli.
02 Integrating information
Nervous system processes and interprets
sensory input and decides whether action is
needed
 Functions of the Nervous
System
03 Controlling muscles and glands.
Skeletal muscles normally contract only when
stimulated by the nervous system.
04 Maintaining homeostasis
The nervous system plays an important role in
maintaining homeostasis
 Functions of the Nervous
System
05
Establishing and maintaining mental activity
The brain is the center of mental activity,
including consciousness, memory, and
thinking.
The Two (2) Major
Divisions of the
Nervous System
1. Central Nervous System

2. Peripheral Nervous System

01The Central Nervous
System

Consists of the
1. The Brain and
2. The Spinal Cord
1. The Brain

• control center for

registering sensations,
making decisions and
taking actions
• Divided into 4 Major
Parts
The Brain is Divided into 4 Major Parts

1.Cerebrum
2.Diecephalon
3.Cerebellum
4.Brainstem
The Brain
1.Cerebrum

The Brain
1. Cerebrum
• Largest part of the brain
• Divided into left and right
hemispheres
• Considered as the “ seat of
intelligence”
• Consists of the Cerebral
Cortex, Lobes,
Descending and
Ascending Tracts and
Basal Nuclei
 The Cerebral Cortex
• region of gray matter that forms the outer
rim of the cerebrum
• about 2-4 mm (0.08 – 0.016 in) thick
• contains billions of neurons arranged in
distinct layer
• A ridge on the surface of the brain are
called gyri. The deepest grooves between
folds are known as fissures; the shallower
grooves between folds are termed sulci.
 The Cerebral Cortex
• The most prominent
fissure, the
longitudinal fissure
which separates the
cerebrum into right
and left
halves called cerebral
hemispheres
 The Lobes
Parietal
Frontal

Occipital

Temporal
 Frontal
- involved in planning, thinking, problem
solving and regulating emotional system.
- most of your working
memory is located or
stored in this lobe and it is
where your focus occurs
- slowly matures until
adulthood.
 Parietal
- associated mainly with
spatial orientation,
calculation and certain
types of recognition.
 Occipital
- Associated with
visual processing.
- Interprets vision
(color, light,
movement)
Temporal
- found above the ears.
- deals with sound, music, and associated with
perception and recognition of auditory stimuli,
memory and speech
 The Lobes
Parietal
Frontal

Occipital

Temporal
 The Sensory and Motor Functions of
the Cerebrum
Sensory Function – receives info from
sensory receptors and interprets it.
Motor Function ( – responsible for all
voluntary movement and some involuntary
ones
 Speech
• Mainly in left hemisphere
• Sensory speech (Wernicke’s area):
- parietal lobe
- where words are heard and comprehended
• Motor speech (Broca’s area):
- frontal lobe
- where words are formulated 25
 Ascending and
Descending Tracts
 • What are they?
Ascending Tract - pathways in brain and spinal cord
- transmit info. via action potentials from
periphery to brain
- each tract has limited type of sensory input
(temp, touch, pain, etc.)
- tracts are named that indicated origin and
termination
- made of 2-3 neurons in sequence 27
 Descending Tracts
• Project from upper motor neurons in
cerebral cortex to lower motor neurons
in spinal cord and brainstem

• Control different types of movements

29
Descending Tracts • lateral corticospinal tracts are
especially important in controlling the
speed and precision of skilled movements
of the hands.
• reticulospinal tract, are most important
for maintaining posture, balance, and
limb position through their control of
neck, trunk, and proximal limb muscles
 Posterior
(dorsal)
Lateral
corticospinal
Rubrospina
l
Anterior
corticospinal
Reticulospina
lVestibulospinal

Tectospinal

Anterior
(ventral)
Basal Nuclei
 Basal Nuclei
• Group of functionally related nuclei
• Planning , organizing , coordinate motor
movements and posture
• Corpus striatum:
- deep in cerebrum
• Substantia nigra:
- in the midbrain 33
 Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education. Permission required for reproduction or display.

Corpus
striatum
Thalamus
Basal
nuclei
Substantia nigra
in midbrain)

Lateral view
The Brain is Divided into 4 Major Parts

1.Cerebrum
2.Diecephalon
3.Cerebellum
4.Brainstem
The Brain
 2. Diecephalon

Thalamus

Hypothalamus

The Brain
2. Diencephalon
• Located between
the brainstem and
cerebrum
• Components:
-Thalamus
-Hypothalamus
 Diencephalon Components
• Thalamus
- Characteristics: largest portion of diencephalon
- Function: influences moods and detects pain

• Hypothalamus:
- Location: above thalamus
- Function: emotional and visceral response to odors
and has a connection with the pituitary gland and
produces a variety of hormones.
The Brain is Divided into 4 Major Parts

1.Cerebrum
2.Diecephalon
3.Cerebellum
4.Brainstem
The Brain
3. Cerebellum

The Brain
3. Cerebellum
- involved in
maintaining balance
and muscle tone
and in coordinating
fine motor
movement.
3. Cerebellum
- participates with cerebrum in
learning motor skills, such
as playing the piano. Once the
cerebrum and cerebellum
“learn” these skills, the
specialized
movements can be
accomplished smoothly and
The Brain is Divided into 4 Major Parts

1.Cerebrum
2.Diecephalon
3.Cerebellum
4.Brainstem
The Brain
4. Brainstem

The Brain
4. Brainstem
- brainstem is the
part of the brain
between the spinal
cord and the
diencephalon
4. Brainstem - consists of 3 parts

Midbrain
Pons
Medulla oblongata
Midbrain or mesencephalon and is
about 2.5 cm (1 in.) long

- The anterior part of the

midbrain contains paired
bundles of axons known
as the cerebral peduncles
Pons pons (= bridge) lies
directly superior to the
medulla and anterior to
the cerebellum and is
about 2.5
cm (1 in.) long
Pons - The anterior part of the
midbrain contains paired
bundles of axons known
as the cerebral peduncles

- has two major structural

components: a ventral
region and a dorsal region
Medulla Oblongata
- is continuous with the superior
part of the spinal cord; it forms
the inferior part
of the brainstem.
- begins at the foramen
magnum and extends to the
inferior border of the pons, a
distance
of about 3 cm (1.2 in.).
- Vomitting – vomitting center of the medulla
oblongata.
- Deglutition – deglutition center of m. oblongata
- Sneezing – spasmodic contraction of breathing
muscles which expels air through nose and mouth
- Coughing – long-drawn and deep inhalation and then
a strong exhalation that suddenly sends a blast of air
- Hiccupping – caused by spasmodic contractions of
the diaphragm
1. The Spinal Cord
- extends from the foramen
magnum at the base of the skull
to the second lumbar
vertebra.
- cross section reveals that the
spinal cord consists of a
superficial white matter portion
and a deep gray
matter portion.
Spinal Cord
Reflexes
 1. Knee-Jerk Reflex
- The simplest reflex is the
stretch reflex, in which
muscles contract in response
to a stretching force
applied to them
- The knee-jerk reflex, or
patellar reflex, is a classic
example of the stretch reflex.
 2. Withdrawal
Reflex

- or flexor reflex, is to remove a limb or

another body part from a painful stimulus.
The sensory receptors are pain receptors.
Three Major
Plexuses
 1. Cervical Plexuses (C1-C4)
- Branches from this plexus innervate
several of the muscles attached to the hyoid
bone, as well as the skin of the neck and
posterior portion of the head.
- One of the most important branches of the
cervical plexus is the phrenic nerve, which
innervates the diaphragm. Contraction of
the diaphragm is largely responsible for our
ability to breathe..
2. Brachial Plexuses (C5 – T1)
1.The axillary nerve innervates two shoulder
muscles and the skin over part of the shoulder.
2. The radial nerve innervates all the muscles
in the posterior arm and forearm as well as the
skin
over the posterior surface of the arm, forearm,
and hand.
3. The musculocutaneous nerve innervates
the anterior muscles of the arm and the skin
over the radial surface of the forearm.
2. The
4. Brachial
ulnar Plexuses (C5 – two
nerve innervates T1)anterior
forearm muscles and most of the intrinsic hand
muscles.
It also innervates the skin over the ulnar side of
the hand. The ulnar nerve can be easily damaged
where it passes posterior to the medial side of the
elbow. The ulnar nerve at this location is called
the “funny bone.”
5. The median nerve innervates most of the
anterior forearm muscles and some of the intrinsic
hand muscles. It also innervates the skin over the
radial side of the hand.
 3. Lumbosacral Plexuses (L1 – S4)
Four major nerves exit the plexus to
supply the lower limb.
1. The obturator nerve innervates the
muscles of the medial thigh and the skin over
the same region.
2. The femoral nerve innervates the anterior
thigh muscles and the skin over the anterior
thigh and medial side of the leg.
 3. Lumbosacral Plexuses (L1 – S4)
3. The tibial nerve innervates the posterior thigh
muscles, the anterior and posterior leg muscles, and most
of the intrinsic foot muscles. It also innervates the skin
over the sole of the foot.
4. The common fibular nerve innervates the muscles of
the lateral thigh and leg and some intrinsic
foot muscles. The tibial and common fibular nerves are
bound together within a connective tissue sheath and
together are called the sciatic nerve.
The Meninges, The
Ventricles and the
Cerebrospinal Fluid
The Meninges
Go, go, go!

is a connective tissue
membranes surrounds
and protect the brain and
spinal cord.
 Three Connective Tissues Membranes

1. Dura Mater
- The most superficial and thickest of the meninges.
- Consist of two layers, which functions as a single layer
but are physically separated into several
regions to form dural folds and dural venous sinuses.
- The dural folds help to hold the brain in place within
the skull.
 Three Connective Tissues Membranes

2. Arachnoid Mater
- Is a very thin spiderlike membrane.
- The space between the dura mater and the arachnoid
mater is the sub-dural space, which is normally
only a potential space containing a very small amount of
serious fluid.
 Three Connective Tissues Membranes

3. Pia Mater (affectionate mother)

- is very tightly bound to the surface of the
brain and spinal cord. Between the arachnoid
mater and the pia mater is the subarachnoid
space, which is filled with cerebrospinal fluid
and contains blood vessels.
 The Ventricles
- The CNS contains fluid-filled
cavities, called ventricles,
which are quite small in some
areas and large in others. Each
cerebral hemisphere contains a
relatively large cavity called the
lateral ventricle.
- The third ventricle is a smaller, midline cavity
located in the center of the diencephalon between
the two halves of the thalamus and connected by
foramina (holes) to the lateral ventricles.
- The fourth ventricle is located at the base of the
cerebellum and connected to the third ventricle
by a narrow canal, called the cerebral aqueduct.
The Cerebrospinal Fluid
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bathes
the brain and spinal cord,
providing a protective cushion
around the CNS. It is produced
by the choroid plexuses,
specialized structures made of
ependymal cells, which are
located in the ventricles.
- CSF fills the brain ventricles, the central canal of
the spinal cord, and the subarachnoid space. The
CSF flows from the lateral ventricles into the third
ventricle and then through the cerebral aqueduct
into the fourth ventricle. A small amount of CSF
enters the central canal of the spinal cord.
- The CSF exits the fourth ventricle through small
openings in its walls and roof and enters the
subarachnoid space.
- Masses of arachnoid tissue, called arachnoid
granulations, penetrate the superior sagittal
sinus, a dural venous sinus in the longitudinal
fissure, and CSF passes from the subarachnoid
space into the blood through these granulations.
- Blockage of the openings in the fourth ventricle
or the cerebral aqueduct can cause CSF to
accumulate in the ventricles, a condition known
as hydrocephalus.
02The Peripheral Nervous
System
Consists of the
1. Sensory Division
2. Motor Division
- Somatic NS
- Autonomic NS
- Sympathetic NS
- Parasympathetic NS
- Enteric NS
Two parts of Peripheral Nervous
System:
1. Sensory division or afferent (toward)
division
• conducts action potentials from sensory
receptors to the CNS. The neurons that transmit
action
potentials from the periphery to the CNS are
called sensory neurons
Two parts of Peripheral Nervous
System:
2. Motor division or efferent (away)
division
• conducts action potentials from the CNS to
effector organs, such as muscles and glands. The
neurons that transmit action potentials from the
CNS toward the periphery are called motor
neurons.
Two Division of Motor Division

1. The somatic (bodily) nervous

system - transmits action potentials
from the CNS to skeletal muscles.
Two Division of Motor Division
2. The autonomic (self-governing)
nervous system (ANS) - transmits action
potentials from the CNS to cardiac muscle,
smooth muscle, and glands.
- Has 3 types( Sympathetic NS,
Parasympathetic NS, and Enteric NS )
The Cells of the Nervous
System
Consists of the
1. Neurons
2. Neuroglias
Neurons
Three Main Parts of the Neurons
Dendrites Cell Body

Axon
 Three Main Parts of the Neurons
Dendrites - are the receiving or input portions of a
neuron.
Cell Body - is known as the perikaryon or soma,
which contains a nucleus surrounded by
cytoplasm.
Axon - propagates nerve impulses toward another
neuron, a muscle fiber, or a gland cell.
 Other Parts of the Neurons
Dendrites Nucleus

Axon Terminal Cell Body

Schwann cell

Axon
Myelin sheath
Classifications of Neurons

1. According to Number of Processes

2. According to Functions
Classifications of Neurons According to No.
of Processes
 Classifications of Neurons According to No.
of Processes
1. Multipolar neurons - usually have several dendrites and one axon.
This type of neurons is mostly found
in the brain and spinal cord, as well as all motor neurons.
2. Bipolar neurons have one main dendrite and one axon. They are
found in the retina of the eye, the inner
ear, and the olfactory area of the brain.
3. Unipolar neurons have dendrites and one axon that are fused
together to form a continuous process that
emerges from the cell body. These neurons are more appropriately called
pseudounipolar neurons
because they begin in the embryo as bipolar neurons.
 Classifications of Neurons According to
Functions
1. Sensory neurons or afferent neurons - either contain sensory
receptors
at their distal ends (dendrites) or are located just after sensory
receptors that are separate cells.
2. Motor neurons or efferent neurons - convey action potentials
away from the CNS to effectors (muscles and glands) in the
periphery (PNS) through cranial or spinal nerves.
3. Interneurons or association neurons are mainly located
within the CNS between sensory and motor
neurons.
Neuroglia
 Neuroglias (CNS)
1. Astrocytes
- Is a star-shaped cells have many processes and
are the largest and most numerous of the
neuroglia.
- Two types of astrocytes:
1. Protoplasmic astrocytes have many short branching
processes and are found in gray matter (described shortly).
2. Fibrous astrocytes have many long unbranched
processes and are located mainly in white matter. The
processes of astrocytes make contact with blood capillaries,
neurons, and the pia mater (a thin membrane around the
brain and spinal cord).
 Neuroglias (CNS)
2. Oligodendrocytes
- It resemble the astrocytes but are
smaller and contain fewer processes.
are responsible for forming and
maintaining the myelin sheath around
CNS axons. The myelin sheath is a
multilayered lipid and protein covering
around the axons that insulates them and
increases the speed of nerve impulse
conduction
 Neuroglias (CNS)
3. Microglial Cells or Microglia
- are small cells with slender processes that
give off numerous spinelike projections.
- It function as phagocytes. Like tissue
macrophages, they remove cellular debris
formed during normal
development of the nervous system and
phagocytize microbes and damaged nervous
tissue.
 Neuroglias (CNS)
4. Ependymal cells
- are cuboidal to columnar cells arranged in a
single layer that possess microvilli and cilia.
- These cells line the ventricles of the brain and
central canal of the spinal cord, which protects
and nourishes the brain and spinal cord.
Functionally, ependymal cells produce, possibly
monitor, and assist in the circulation of
cerebrospinal fluid. They also form the blood–
cerebrospinal fluid barrier.
 Neuroglias (PNS) Satellite Cells
Cell Body
1. Schwann Cells - encircle the PNS axons.
Like oligodendrocytes, they form the
myelin sheath around the axons. Schwann
cells participate in axon regeneration, which
is more easily accomplished in the PNS
than in the CNS.
2. Satellite Cells - flat cells surrounded the
cell bodies of neurons of PNS ganglia. Schwann Cells
Regulates the exchange of materials
between neurological cell bodies and Axon

interstitial fluid. Myelin Sheath

The 12 Cranial Nerves
The 12
Cranial
Nerves
The 12
Cranial
Nerves
THAT WILL BE ALL, THANK YOU!