The Nervous System

Brain
Spinal
Cord

Nerves

Objectives
After studying this
chapter, you will be able
to:
Name the parts of the nervous system and discuss
the function of each part.
Define the combining forms used in building words
that relate to the nervous system.
Identify the meaning of related abbreviations.
Name the common diagnoses, laboratory tests,
and clinical procedures used in testing and treating
disorders of the nervous system
2

Objectives
Part
2
Define the major pathological conditions of the
nervous system.

Define surgical terms related to the nervous

system.
Recognize common pharmacological agents used in
treating disorders of the nervous system

Structure
and
Function
All bodily activities, voluntary and involuntary, are
controlled by the nervous system.
Neurons (nerve cells)
are the basic
Dendrites
elements of the
nervous system.

Cell body

Axon
Myelin Sheath
Neurilemma

Terminal end fibers

Cell Body

Cell Body

The main processing center of the cell

Dendrites
Thin branching extensions of the cell body
that conduct nerve impulses toward the cell
body.

Axon
A single branch (in most neurons) which conducts
nerve impulses away from the cell body.
Myelin sheath and neurilemma are coverings.
5

Impulse Transmission

Impulse Transmission

Terminal end fibers are located at the ends of the axon and
they transmit impulses leaving the neuron across a synapse
to the next neuron.
synapse

Neuron
A

Neuron
B

neurotransmitter
All neurons have two basic properties

excitability
conductivity
6

Three
Types
of
Neurons
Three Types of Neurons
Efferent (motor)

Conveys information from the

CNS to muscles and glands

Afferent
(sensory)
Carry information from

Other Cells (Neuroglia)

Interneurons
Carry and process sensory

Support, protect,
connect and remove
debris from the
nervous system

sensory receptors to the CNS

information

Types of Neuroglial Cells

Types of Neuroglial Cells

Astrocytes

Oligodendroglia

Star-shaped
cells that
maintain the
nutrient and
chemical levels
in neurons

Produce myelin
and help in
supporting the
neurons

Microglia
Phagocytes, they
remove debris

Central Nervous System

Central Nervous System
Consists of the brain and spinal cord
The control center of the body responsible for
controlling, receiving, and interpreting all stimuli
Sends nerve impulses to instruct muscles and
glands to take or respond to certain actions
Both voluntary and involuntary movements are
controlled
9

Brain

Brain

Convolutions (gyri)
Meninges

Fissures

Skull

Corpus
callosum

Cerebrum
Diencephalon
Midbrain
Brainstem

Pons

Cerebellum

Medulla
Oblongata

Spinal cord

Weighs about 3
pounds in adults
75% water
Contains over
100 billion
neurons
Controls bodily
functions and
interactions with
the outside
world

Divisions of the Brain

Brainstem

Cerebellum

Diencephalon

Cerebrum
10

The brain is made of three main parts: the

forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain. The
forebrain consists of the cerebrum,
thalamus, and hypothalamus (part of the
limbic system). The midbrain consists of
the tectum and tegmentum. The hindbrain
is made of the cerebellum, pons and
medulla. Often the midbrain, pons, and
medulla are referred to together as the
brainstem.

11

Thelimbic system(or paleomammalian

brain) is a complex set of brain structures
that lies on both sides of thethalamus, right
under thecerebrum.[1]It is not a separate
system, but a collection of structures from
thetelencephalon,diencephalon,
andmesencephalon.[The limbic system
supports a variety of functions,
includingemotion,behavior,motivation,longterm memory.

12

Brainstem

Brainstem

Made up of the midbrain; pons and the medulla oblongata

Midbrain
Involved with visual reflexes

Pons

Located between the midbrain and the medulla oblongata

Controls certain respiratory functions

Medulla Oblongata
Contains centers that regulate heart and lung functioning,
swallowing, coughing, vomiting and sneezing
13

Cerebellum

Cerebellum

Area that coordinates

musculoskeletal
movement to maintain
posture, balance, and
muscle tone

balance
14

Cerebrum

Cerebrum
Frontal

Parietal

Located above the cerebellum

The cerebrum or cortex is

the largest part of the
human brain, associated
with higher brain function
such as thought and action.
The cerebral cortex is
divided into four sections,
called "lobes": the frontal
lobe, parietal lobe,
occipital lobe, and
temporal lobe.

Temporal
Occipital
15

What do each of these lobes do?

Frontal Lobe- associated with reasoning,
planning, parts of speech, movement,
emotions, and problem solving
Parietal Lobe- associated with movement,
orientation, recognition, perception of stimuli
Occipital Lobe- associated with visual
processing
Temporal Lobe- associated with perception
and recognition of auditory stimuli, memory,
and speech

16

Diencephalon

Diencephalon

The deep portion of the brain containing:

-thalamus
-hypothalamus
-epithalamus
-ventral thalamus
Functions
Serves as relay center for sensations
Integrates with the ANS in the control of:
Heart rate
Blood pressure
Temperature control
Behavioral responses
Water and electrolyte balance

Digestive functions
Glandular activities17

Spinal Cord

The brain sits inside a protective bony structure

called the cranium and is surrounded by a
watery fluid, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), that
cradles and cushions the brain. Ventricles or
cavities in the brain also contain this CSF.
Spinal Cord
Extends from the medulla oblongata of the brain to the area
around the first lumbar vertebra in the lower back
Nerves from the peripheral nervous system extend out from
the spinal cord
-vertebral column
Protected by:
-cerebrospinal fluid
-meninges
18

Meninges
Meninges are three layers of membranes that
cover the brain and spinal cord.
Layers of the meninges
dura mater
Outer tough fibrous
membrane

arachnoid mater
Middle weblike membrane
containing CSF

pia mater

Innermost layer containing

several blood vessels

Skull
Pia mater
Subarachnoid
space
Arachnoid
space
Dura
mater

19

Peripheral
Nervous
System
Peripheral Nervous System
Consists of 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs
of spinal nerves
Cranial Nerves
Function
I olfactory

Sense of smell

II optic

Sense of vision

III oculomotor

Eye movements

IV trochlear

Aids muscles that move the eyes

V trigeminal

Eyes, tear glands,scalp,

forehead,teeth, gums, lips,
and mouth muscles
20

Cranial Nerve

Cranial Nerve

VI abducens
VII facial
VIII vestibulocochlear
IX glossopharyngeal

Function

Muscle conditioning
Taste, facial expressions, tear and
salivary glands
Hearing and equilibrium
Pharynx, tonsils tongue and
carotid arteries; stimulates
salivary glands

X vagus

Speech, swallowing, heart muscle,

smooth muscle and certain glands

XI accessory

Muscles of the soft palate, pharynx,

larynx and neck

XII hypoglossal

Tongue movement

21

Somatic Nervous System

Somatic Nervous System

Responsible for receiving and processing sensory

input from the skin, muscles, tendons, joints, eyes,
tongue, nose and ears as well as excite the
voluntary contraction of skeletal muscles.
Autonomic Nervous System
Carries impulses from the central nervous system
to glands, various smooth muscles, cardiac muscle
and various membranes.
Stimulates organs, glands, and senses.
22

Sympathetic
Division
of
ANS
HELP!!!
Sympathetic Division of ANS
Operates when the body is
under stress to activate
responses necessary to
react to dangerous
situations.
Parasympathetic Division of ANS
Operates to keep the body in
homeostasis or balance under
normal conditions.

23

Combining Forms and

Combining Form
Meaning
Abbreviations (cerebell)
cerebell (o)

cerebellum

cerebr (o)

cerebru
m

crani (o)

cranium

encephal (o)

brain

gangli (o)

ganglion

gli (o)

neuroglia

mening (o)

meninges

24

Combining Forms
&
Meaning
Combining Form
Abbreviations
(myel)
myel (o)

bone marrow, spinal cord

neur (o)

nerve

spin (o)

spine

thalam (o)

thalamus

vag (o)

vagus nerve

ventricul (o)

ventricle
25

Combining Forms
&
Meaning
Abbreviation
Abbreviations (Ach)

Ach

acetylcholine

ALS

amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis

BBB

blood-brain barrier

CNS

central nervous system

CP

cerebral palsy

CSF

cerebrospinal fluid
26

Combining
Forms
&
Abbreviation
Meaning
Abbreviations (CAT)

CAT scan

computerized (axial)
tomography

CVA

cerebrovascular accident

CVD

cerebrovascular disease

EEG

electroencephalogram

ICP

intracranial pressure

LP

lumbar puncture
27

Combining
Forms
&
Abbreviation
Meaning
Abbreviations (MRA)
MRA
MRI

magnetic resonance
angiography
magnetic resonance
imaging

MS

multiple sclerosis

SAH

subarachnoid hemorrhage

TIA

transient ischemic attack

28

Electrodiagnostic Procedures

Electrodiagnostic Procedures
Electroencephalogram (EEG)

A record of the brains electrical impulses.

Capable of detecting abnormalities that signal certain
neurological conditions.

Nerve Conduction Velocity

Procedure where peripheral nerves are shocked while timing

the conduction.

Polysomnography (PSG)
A recording of electrical and movement patterns during
sleep to diagnose sleep disorders.
29

Imaging Procedures

Imaging Procedures

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

The use of magnetic fields and radio waves to visualize
structures.

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)

The imaging of blood vessels to detect various abnormalities.

Positron emission tomography (PET)

Procedure that produces brain images using radioactive
isotopes and tomography.

Computerized (axial) tomography (CAT) scans

Tomography used to show cross-sectional radiographic

images.
30

X-Ray Procedures

X-Ray Procedures
Myelogram

An x-ray of the spinal cord

after a contrast medium is
injected.

Cerebral angiogram

X-rays of the brains blood vessels

after a contrast medium is injected.

Encephalography
Radiographic study of the
ventricles of the brain.
31

Reflexes
Reflexes are involuntary muscular
contractions in response to a
stimulus.
Babinskis reflex is a reflex on the plantar
surface of the foot.
Patellar (Knee) reflexes are usually tested
for responsiveness.
Cerebrospinal fluid can also be withdrawn and
tested for the presence of various substances
that signal certain diseases.
32

Pathological Terms

Conditions Caused By Trauma

Concussion

Injury to the brain from an impact with an object.

Contusion
A bruising of the surface of the brain without penetration
into the brain.

Subdural hematoma
A tumor-like collection of blood often caused by trauma
in which there is bleeding in the dura mater and the
arachnoid or at the base of the dura.

33

Congenital Disorders

Congenital Disorders
Spina Bifida

Defect of the spinal column.

Meningocele is the protrusion of the
spinal meninges above the surface of
the skin.
Meningomyelocele is the protrusion
of the meninges and spinal cord.

Tay-Sachs
Genetic disease characterized by
an enzyme deficiency that causes
deterioration in the CNSs cells

back of infant with

meningomyeloocele

Hydrocephalus
Overproduction of the CSF in the brain

34

Degenerative
Diseases
Degenerative Conditions
Alzheimers Disease
Progressive degeneration of neurons in the brain,
eventually leading to death.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Also known as Lou Gehrigs disease
Degenerative disease of the motor neurons leading to loss
of muscular control and death.

Huntingtons Chorea
Hereditary disease with uncontrollable, jerking
movements and progressive loss of neural control.

35

Degenerative
Diseases
Part
2
Degenerative Conditions contd
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Destruction of the myelin sheath leading to muscle
weakness, unsteady gait, paresthesia, extreme fatigue,
and some paralysis.

Myasthenia Gravis

Condition of muscle weakness due to an overproduction

of antibodies that block neurotransmitters from sending
proper nerve impulses to skeletal muscles.

Parkinsons Disease
Degeneration of nerves in the brain which causes tremors,
weakness of muscles, and difficulty walking.
36

Neurological Conditions
Cerebral Palsy

Bells Palsy

Neurological
Conditions
Ataxia

Epilepsy
Tourette Syndrome

37

Pathology

Cerebral Palsy: a disability resulting from damage to the brain before, during, or
shortly after birth and outwardly manifested by muscular incoordination and speech .
Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common congenital disorders of childhood.
Bells Palsy : paralysis of the facial nerve causing muscular weakness in one side of
the face.
Ataxia : the loss of full control of bodily movements.
Epilepsy : a neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory
disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal
electrical activity in the brain.
Tourette Syndrome: a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent involuntary
movements, including multiple neck jerks and sometimes vocal tics.(tics : A habitual
spasmodic muscular movement or contraction, usually of the face or extremities. )

38

Infectious
Conditions
Infectious Conditions
Shingles

Meningitis

A viral disease caused

by the herpes zoster
virus.

Caused by bacteria and viruses

Bacterial causes can be fatal

Inflammatory Conditions
Neuritis

Myelitis

Encephalitis

Radiculitis

Duritis

Sciatica

39

Abnormal Growth

Abnormal Growth
Gliomas

Tumors that arise from neuroglia

Meningiomas
Tumors that arise from the meninges

Ganglion
Any group of nerve cells bunched together to form a cyst

Vascular Conditions
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
Transient ischemic attacks (TIA)

40

Surgical Terms

Neurosurgeons are the physicians that

perform surgery on the brain and spinal
cord.
Surgical Procedures
Lobectomy
Removal of a portion of the brain

Craniectomy
Removal of part of the skull

Neuroplasty
Surgical repair of a nerve

Neurectomy
Surgical removal of a nerve

41

Pharmacological Terms
Anticonvulsants

Analgesics

Treat epilepsy

Relieve pain

Sedatives & Hypnotics

Narcotics
Relieve pain by
inducing a stuporous or
euphoric state

Relax the nerves and

sometimes induces sleep

Anesthetics
Numb the body locally (one
section), or general (entire body)
42

Apply Your Knowledge

Injury to which of the following parts of the brain

will most likely lead to balance and coordination
problems?
A. medulla oblongata
B. cerebellum
C. cerebrum

Answer : B. cerebellum
43

Apply
Your
Knowledge
Part
2
Anthony is on his way home from a friends

house when several wild dogs begin to chase

him. As he runs, his heart rate and
respiration all increase.
Which of the following nervous system
controls were responsible for preparing his
body to run due to his fear?
A. central nervous system
B. parasympathetic nervous system
C. sympathetic nervous system
Answer: C. sympathetic nervous system

44

Apply Your Knowledge Part 3

Match each description with the correct medication.

Hypnotic

Relieves
pain

anticonvulsant

Induces
sleep

Analgesic

Prevents
convulsions
45

parietal
D.

Apply
Your
Knowledge
Part
4
Identify the labeled lobes
of the brain

A.
frontal

B.
temporal

C.
occipital
46