NERVOUS SYSTEM

Presented By:
Rizwan Khan
Haleema Imran
Safia Mir
FUN FACTS ABOUT NERVOUS SYSTEM
1. There are 100 billion neurons in your brain alone, 13 million in spinal cord.
2. A newborn baby's brain grows almost 3 times during the course of its first year •
3. The left side of human brain controls the right side of the body and the right side of the brain
controls the left side of the body •

4. There are about 13,500,000 neurons in the human spinal cord •

5. The nervous system can transmit nerve impulses as fast as 328 feet per second, and in some
cases, the speed of transmission is around 180 miles per hour •
6. A man's brain has 6.5 times more gray matter compared to women, but a woman's brain has 10
times more white matter compared to men. The grey matter throughout the central nervous
system allows enables individuals to control movement, memory, and emotions, speech, hearing
feeling. White matter handles and processes information, blood pressure, heart rate, while grey
matter is tied to task-orientation and action centers.
7. Nervous system cannot function properly in the absence of potassium and sodium ions
8. Human brain generates about 12-23 watts of energy.
9. Human brain can store information about 2.5 million gigabytes.
Central Nervous System
Central Nervous System (CNS) is often called the central processing unit of the body. It
consists of the brain and the spinal cord.
Brain
The brain is one of the important, largest and central organ of the human nervous
system. It is the control unit of the nervous system, which helps us in discovering new
things, remembering and understanding, making decisions, and a lot more. It is
enclosed within the skull, which provides frontal, lateral and dorsal protection. The
human brain is composed of three major parts:
• Forebrain: The anterior part of the brain, consists of Cerebrum, Hypothalamus and
Thalamus.
• Midbrain: The smaller and central part of the brainstem(midbrain, pons, medulla
oblongata).
• Hindbrain: The central region of the brain, composed of Cerebellum, Medulla and
Pons
 Encephalon Medulla spinalis

prosencephalon
Rhombencephalon
General features of Brain
1. Human brain is enclosed by bony case skull.
2. Human brain is superior part of body.
3. Master control center of body because it ultimately control whole body systems.
4. The human brain weighs about three pounds and has a volume of about 1,300
cubic centimeters, about the size of ten tennis balls.
5. The brain owes its outer appearance of a walnut to the wrinkled and deeply folded
cerebral cortex, which handles the innumerable signals responsible for perception
and movement.
6. Gyrus is elevated part of cerebral cortex and shallow grooves called sulcus while
deeper grooves called fissures which separates large part of brain.
7. Longitudinal fissure divides the brain into two halves called hemisphere, left and
right.
Lobes Of Brain
Brain is divided into different lobes. Their named is according
to respective bone which enclose that part of brain.
1. Frontal lobe
2. Parietal lobe
3. Occipital lobe
4. Temporal lobe
Parieto-occipital sulcus
Coverings Of Brain
Three layers of membranes known as meninges protect the brain and spinal cord. The
delicate inner layer is the pia mater. The middle layer is the arachnoid, a web-like
structure filled with fluid that cushions the brain. The tough outer layer is called
the dura mater.
Based on their location meninges are named.
1. Cranial meninges
2. Spinal meninges
Meninges are three layers of membranes that cover and protect your brain and spinal cord
(your central nervous system [CNS]). They’re known as:
•Dura mater: This is the outer layer, closest to your skull.
•Arachnoid mater: This is the middle layer.
•Pia mater: This is the inner layer, closest to your brain tissue.
Together, the arachnoid mater and pia mater are called leptomeninges.
There are three spaces within the meninges:
•The epidural space is a space between your skull and dura mater and the dura mater of
your spinal cord and the bones of your vertebral column. Analgesics (pain medicine) and
anesthesia are sometimes injected into this space along your spine. The spinal cord ends
between the first and second lumbar vertebra in the middle of your back, at which point,
only cerebrospinal fluid is present. This is the site where a lumbar puncture (“spinal tap”) is
performed.
• The subdural space is a space between your dura mater and your
arachnoid mater. It allows dura to move over arachnoid it contains
serous fluid not CSF.
• The subarachnoid space is a space between your arachnoid mater
and pia mater. It’s filled with cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid
cushions and protects your brain and spinal cord.
Features of Meninges
Dura matter
1. Dura mater is the outermost, thick, strong membrane layer located directly
under your skull and vertebral column. In Latin, dura mater means “hard
mother.”
2. It consists of two layers of connective tissue.
3. Periosteal layer: One side of your dura attaches to your skull.
4. Meningeal layer: Adheres to your middle membrane layer (arachnoid
mater). Dura mater contains a drainage system, called the dural venous
sinuses, which allows blood to leave your brain and allows cerebrospinal
fluid to re-enter the circulation.
5. The dural venous sinus are located between two layers of dura matter,
responsible for venous drainage of cranium and empty into internal jugular
vein.
6. Dura mater receives its blood supply from your middle meningeal artery.
Arachnoid matter
1. Arachnoid mater, the middle layer of your meninges, lies directly
below your dura mater.
2. It’s a thin layer that lays between your dura mater and pia mater. It
doesn’t contain blood vessels or nerves.
3. It has a spiderweb-like appearance (“arachnoid” means spider)
because it has connective tissue projections that attach to your pia
mater.
4. Between your arachnoid mater and pia mater is the subarachnoid
space, which contains cerebrospinal fluid that helps cushion your
brain.
5. Arachnoid granulation involve in drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
into the venous sinuses.
Meningeal vein
 Pia matter
1. Pia mater, the innermost layer, is a thin layer that’s held tightly —
like shrink wrap — to the surface of your brain and spinal cord.
2. Many blood vessels pass through this layer to supply your brain
tissue with blood.
3. It also helps contain cerebrospinal fluid. In your spinal cord, pia
mater helps maintain the stiffness of the cord.
Ventricles Of Brain
1. The ventricles of the brain are cavities that produce and store a substance known
as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
2. The brain’s ventricular system comprises four ventricles and small structures that
connect each ventricle called foramina.
3. The ventricles are essential for maintaining the central nervous system (CNS).
4. There are four ventricles of the brain: the 2 lateral ventricles, third ventricle, and
fourth ventricle. The ventricles are lined with a specialized membrane called the
choroid plexus, choroid plexus is network of blood vessel, which is made up of
ependymal cells.
1. Ependymal cells are glial cells, types of cells which provide physical (CSF
production) and metabolic(glucose utilization by cells) support to neurons.
2. These specific cells are tailored to produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and they
secrete the fluid into the ventricles at a relatively constant rate. Each brain
ventricle’s main function is to produce, secrete, and convey CSF.
Lateral ventricles
1. The first and the second ventricles are known as the lateral ventricles. Each of the
lateral ventricles are located in each hemisphere of the cerebral cortex, one in the
left hemisphere, one in the right.
2. Both ventricles are separated by septum pellucidum.The septum pellucidum
(meaning translucent wall in Latin - SP), also known as the ventricle of Sylvius,is a
thin, triangular double membrane separating the frontal horns of the right and
left lateral ventricles of the brain.
3. The lateral ventricles are C-shaped structures and have three horns which project
into three lobes of the brain: the frontal, occipital, and temporal lobes.
4. The lateral ventricles are connected to the following ventricles, the third ventricle,
by an opening called the interventricular foramen (or foramen of Monro). The
volume of the lateral ventricles is also seen to increase with age.
Third ventricle
1. The third ventricle is a very narrow, funnel-shaped structure situated between the
right and left thalamus, in the midline between the right and left lateral ventricles,
just above the brain stem.
2. As well as producing CSF, the third ventricle has direct communication with each
lateral ventricle through the Monro foramen.
3. This ventricle also interacts with the fourth ventricle through what is known as the
cerebral aqueduct, a channel that allows CSF to pass between the third and fourth
ventricles.
Fourth ventricle
1. The fourth ventricle is the last ventricle of the system which receives CSF from the
third ventricle via the cerebral aqueduct.
2. The fourth ventricle is a diamond-shaped structure which lies within the brain
stem, at the junction between the pons and the medulla oblongata. It has four
openings through which CSF drains into two places of the brain, median and
lateral aperture.
3. CSF drains into the central spinal canal, bathing the spinal cord. It also drains into
the subarachnoid cisterns, bathing the brain, between the arachnoid mater and
pia mater. Here, the CSF is reabsorbed back into the circulation.
 CSF Flow Pathway
Secretion Choroid plexus (lateral, third and fourth ventricles),

Circulation Lateral ventricle → third ventricle → fourth

ventricle → central canal of spinal cord →
subarachnoid space

Absorption Arachnoid granulations, choroid plexuses

Functions Removal of waste, cushioning of brain, neutral

buoyancy, electrolytic homeostasis
 Cerebrospinal fluid functions

• Shock absorption – the CSF encasing the brain absorbs the shock of trauma to
the head and spine so that the brain does not collide with the skull.
• Through cushioning the brain, it helps to protect against potential injuries that may
be caused by pressure or force.
• Making the brain buoyant – CSF makes the brain buoyant, reducing the
physical stress it would otherwise experience from the forces of gravity and
movement.
• In fact, without being suspended in the fluid of some kind, the brain can become
distorted under its own weight and the delicate tissue can tear.
• Nutrition – the CSF provides the central nervous system with essential nutrients
such as glucose, proteins, lipids, and electrolytes, all to keep it healthy and
functioning properly.
 Cerebrospinal fluid functions

• Waste removal – the CSF is responsible for cleaning through the subarachnoid space
of the spine, cleaning up toxins and waste products that are released by nerve cells .
• This waste is then carried to the lymphatic ducts for filtration. The toxins are emptied
into the bloodstream where they are eventually removed by mechanisms such as kidney
filtration.
• Intracranial pressure – a steady flow of CSF circulating around the brain keeps it
stable. If there were too much CSF, as a result of a traumatic brain injury or brain tumor
for instance, this can raise the intracranial pressure.
• Temperature – because of the circulation of CSF, the temperature of the brain and
spine remains stable.
• Immune function – the CSF contains numerous immune cells(lymphocytes and
monocytes) which work to monitor the central nervous system for foreign agents that
could potentially damage the vital organs.
 Anatomical Division of Brain
Cerebrum is the largest part of your brain, and it handles a wide range of
responsibilities. Located at the front and top of your skull, it gets its name from
the Latin word meaning “brain.”The cerebrum consists of
the cerebral hemispheres and accounts for two-thirds of the total weight
of the brain.
cerebrum handles much of your brain’s “conscious” actions.

• five senses: Your cerebrum manages and processes everything your

senses take in. That includes sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.
• Language: Various parts of your cerebrum control your ability to read,
write and speak.
• Behavior and personality: Part of your cerebrum is your frontal lobe, which
manages your personality and behavior. It's the part of your brain that acts as a
filter to stop you from doing or saying things you might later regret.

• Learning, logic and reasoning: Different areas of cerebrum work together

when need to learn a new skill, make a plan of action or puzzle out a problem.

• Working memory: This is a type of short-term memory.

Lobes of cerebrum
Frontal lobe: Motor cortex
The largest lobe of the brain, located in the front of the head, the frontal lobe is
involved in personality characteristics, decision-making and movement. The frontal
lobe which is associated with speech ability. Controls motor functions, personality
and speech.
Parietal lobe: sensory cortex
The middle part of the brain, the parietal lobe helps a person identify objects and
understand spatial relationships (where one’s body is compared with objects around
the person). The parietal lobe is also involved in interpreting pain and touch in the
body.
Occipital lobe: visual cortex
The occipital lobe is the back part of the brain that is involved with vision.
Temporal lobe: Auditory cortex
The sides of the brain, temporal lobes are involved in short-term memory, speech,
musical rhythm and some degree of smell recognition.
Diencephalon
In adults, the diencephalon appears at the upper end of the brain stem, situated
between the cerebrum and the brain stem. It is center core of brain. It is made up of
four distinct components: the thalamus, the subthalmus, the hypothalamus, and the
epithalamus.
Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus is a master control center of body
Hypothalamus, a structure deep in your brain, acts as your body’s smart control
coordinating center. Its main function is to keep your body in a stable state called
homeostasis. It does its job by directly influencing your autonomic nervous system or by
managing hormones. The hypothalamus is a structure deep within your brain. It’s the
main link between your endocrine system and your nervous system. Your hypothalamus
keeps your body balanced in a stable state called homeostasis.
• Body temperature: Thyroid hormone t3,t4 regulate metabolic rate
• Blood pressure: (Aldosterone)
• Hunger and thirst: Ghrelin produced by stomach
• Mood:( Dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin)
• Libido (Sex drive): testosterone and estrogen
• Sleep: melatonin
Epithalamus
• The epithalamus is the most distal part of the diencephalon, forming the roof of the
third ventricle.
• The pineal gland extends from its posterior border, being externally visible.
• Its size about pea
• Pineal gland secretes melatonin.
• Darkness promotes melatonin secretion, which promotes sleepiness.
Brain Stem
Brain stem is continuous superiorly with diencephalon and
inferiorly with spinal cord.
It consist of:
1. Mid brain
2. Pons
3. Medulla oblongata
 Brain stem Function
The brainstem (or brain stem) is the stalk-like part of the brain that connects
the forebrain (the cerebrum and diencephalon) with the spinal cord.[1] In
the human brain, the brainstem is composed of the midbrain, the pons, and
the medulla oblongata. The midbrain is continuous with the thalamus of
the diencephalon .
The brainstem is very small, making up around only 2.6 percent of the brain's
total weight. It has the critical roles of regulating heart and respiratory function,
helping to control heart rate and breathing rate.
 Mid Brain
• Midbrain functions involve 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.
• Acts as screening center for information before reaching the high brain structure
(cerebrum).
• Mid brain helps in motor movement, particularly movement of eye and auditory
processing.
Pons
• Pons is a part of your brainstem, a structure that links your brain to your spinal cord.
It 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 head and face.
• pons is the second-lowest section of your brainstem, just above your medulla
oblongata. It forms a key connection between your brain above it and medulla
oblongata and spinal cord below it.
• Acts as bridge for conduction of impulses between cerebellum , medulla oblongata
and cerebrum.
• It is concerned with pattern of breathing and heart rate.
• Relay sensory information to cerebellum
• connects forebrain to hindbrain
• Involve in sleep awake cycles
cerebellum
• Second largest part of brain.
• Consist of one central lobe and two lateral lobes.
• Involves complex activities best developed in birds.
• Muscles activity and smooth accurate motion
• Maintain body equilibrium, balance
• Complex activities walking, running, riding bicycles, doing delicate work with hand
• Learning, memory storage.
• Cerebellum malfunction result in jerky, shaky movements.
Medulla Oblongata
• It is broad in front and narrows behind where it continuous with spinal cord.
• Highway of communication between body and brain.
• Responsible for reflexes such as heart beat, respiratory system, salivary secretion,
swallowing, vomiting coughing, and sneezing.
• Also control normal blood pressure.
 Limbic system
1. Hypothalamus
2. Amygdala
3. Hippocampus

• Amygdala:
• Two almond shaped masses of neurons on either side of thalamus.
• Control feeling and emotion, pleasure, punishment, love, hate, fear rage, and sexual
arousal.
• Hippocampus:
• Consist of two horns that curve back from amygdala
• It is involve in formation long term memory for learning purpose
Thank you