Nervous System

Javaria Zahra

Nervous System

The nervous system is a network of

specialized cells that communicate and
coordinate information, these cells are
called nerve cells.
It processes this information and causes
reactions in different parts of the body.
It is composed of nerve cells called
neurons and other specialized cells called
glial cells also called glia, that aid in the
function of the neurons.
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Functions of the Nervous System

1. Communication and coordination

Adapt

and respond to changes from

both inside and outside the body

2. Site of reasoning- The Brain

Two main divisions
Central

nervous system (CNS):

Brain and Spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system (PNS):
the Nerves
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Neurons

The body is made up of billions of

cells. Cells of the nervous system,
called neurons.

Neurons are electrically excitable

cells in the nervous system that
process and transmit information.

Basic nerve cell structure

Neurons are consist of:

CELL BODY: The cell body is the central part of the
neuron.

DENDRITES (Receiving Part): The dendrites of a neuron

are cellular extensions with many branches. They receive
the electrochemical message from other neurons and act
to conduct that message. The overall shape and structure
of dendrites is referred to as a dendrites tree.

AXON (Sending Part): The axon is a finer, cable-like

projection which can extend tens, hundreds, or even tens
of thousands of times the diameter of the soma in length.
They transmit the Electrochemical message to other
neurons

Neurons..

AXON TERMINAL: The axon

terminal contains synapses,
specialized structures where
neurotransmitter chemicals are
released in order to
communicate with target
neurons.

Synapse

The junction between the axon terminals

of a neuron and the receiving cell is
called a synapse.

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The Synapse

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Transmission of signals

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3 main types of nerve cells

sensory
neurone

motor
neurone

relay
neurone
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Sensory neurons

Carries impulses from receptors e.g pain

receptors in skin to the CNS( brain or spinal
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cord)

Motor neuron

Carries impulses from CNS to effector e.g.

muscle to bring about movement or gland to
bring about secretion of hormone e.g ADH
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Relay neuron

Carries impulses from sensory nerves to

motor nerves.
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Neurotransmitters

The axons knob-like terminals

release chemical messengers, called
neurotransmitters, into the
synaptic gap.

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 Dopamine neurotransmitter of
pleasure and pain, acts on the
sympathetic nervous system producing
effects such as increased heart rate and
blood pressure, and is necessary for
mental alertness, relaxation, pain relief
and happiness.
Dopamine Imbalances Cause
Sleep Disorders
Parkinson's Disease And
Schizophrenia.

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 Serotonin - the master

neurotransmitter. A molecule of
happiness. It is found all over the body,
with large concentration (95%) in
digestive track and is necessary to
balance the levels of the stress
hormones.
Serotonin also regulates mood and
appetite.

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 Norepinephrine also known as a

noradrenaline. A hormone
neurotransmitter release by adrenal
glands in response to perceived threat.
High levels of this hormone result in
anxiety and insomnia. Norepinephrine
also regulates metabolic processes
(heart beat, blood pressure), calmness,
relaxation and focus.

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 Epinephrine also known as

adrenalin. A "fight or flight" hormone neurotransmitter secreted by the adrenal
and released into the bloodstream in
response to physical or mental stress, as
from fear or injury. It initiates many
bodily responses, including the
stimulation of heart action and an
increase in blood pressure, metabolic
rate, and blood glucose concentration.
Helps with focus, attention and
productivity.

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CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

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Central nervous system

Brain and spinal cord

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THE BRAIN

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Brain

The brain is the part of the

central nervous system located
in the skull. It controls the
mental processes and physical
actions of a human being.

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Cerebrum
Cerebrum-largest part of brain.
Responsible for reasoning,
thought, memory, speech,
sensation, perception etc.
Divided into two halves called
hemispheres (right hemisphere
& left hemisphere).
Further divided into four lobes;
occipital, parietal, temporal and
frontal lobe.

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The Cerebral Cortex

It contains 4 lobes
1. Frontal lobe
2. Parietal lobe
3. Occipital lobe
4. Temporal lobe

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Functions of Lobes

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FRONTAL LOBE
Located in front area or behind the
forehead.
Concerned with reasoning, planning, parts
of speech and movement (motor cortex),
emotions, and problem-solving.
PARIETAL LOBE
Located between frontal and occipital lobe
Concerned with perception of stimuli related
to touch, pressure, temperature and pain.

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TEMPORAL LOBE
Located on sides of brain or just above
the forehead.
Concerned with perception and
recognition of auditory stimuli (hearing)
and memory (hippocampus).
OCCIPITAL LOBE
Located at the back of the brain, behind
the parietal lobe and temporal lobe.
Concerned with many aspects of vision.
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Cerebellum

Cerebellum-responsible for muscle

coordination, body balance &
learning.

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BRAIN STEM

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Brainstem - The lower extension of the brain where it connects to the

spinal cord.
Basic functions of brain stem; swallowing, breathing, digestion,
heart rate, blood pressure and for arousal (being awake and alert.
Lower part (medulla oblongata) is continuous with spinal cord.

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SPINAL CORD

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SPINAL CORD

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The spinal cord is the main pathway for

information connecting the brain and
peripheral nervous system with the body.
It is around 45 cm (18 in) in men and around
43 cm (17 in) long in women.
31 segments of nerves both sensory and
motor.
Contains both afferent (to the brain) and
efferent (motor neurons- away from the brain)

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FUNCTIONS OF SPINAL CORD

The spinal cord functions primarily in the
transmission of neural signals between the
brain and the rest of the body
Contains neural circuits that can independently
control numerous reflexes.
The spinal cord has three major functions:
A. Conducts motor information, which travels down
the spinal cord.
B. Conducts sensory information, which travels up the
spinal cord.
C. Serve as a center for coordinating certain reflexes.

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Both the brain and spinal cord are

covered by a membrane system
called the meninges
In addition, the brain has four
hollow areas called ventricles.
Cerebrospinal fluid is produced in
the ventricles and baths the brain
and spinal column

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PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS)

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Peripheral nervous system- PNS

Somatic nervous system

Autonomic nervous system

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Peripheral nervous system

Somatic system
12 pairs cranial nerves
31 pairs spinal nerves

Autonomic

Sympathetic

Fight or flight

Parasympathetic

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AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

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The autonomic nervous system (ANS) (or

visceral nervous system) is the part of the
peripheral nervous system that acts as a
control system , maintaining homeostasis in
the body.
These activities are generally performed
without conscious control.
The ANS affects heart rate, digestion,
respiration rate, salivation, perspiration,
diameter of the pupils, urination and sexual
arousal.
It can be divided by subsystems into:
1. parasympathetic nervous system
2. Sympathetic nervous system.
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Sympathetic nervous system: A part

of the nervous system that serves to
accelerate the heart rate, constrict blood
vessels, and raise blood pressure.

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PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

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The parasympathetic nervous

system promotes digestion,
synthesizes glycogen, and allows for
normal function and behavior.

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SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

SoNS is associated with

the voluntary control of body
movements through skeletal
muscles.

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There are forty three segments of

nerves in our body and with each
segment there is a pair of sensory and
motor nerves.
In the body, thirty one segments of
nerves are in the spinal cord and
twelve are in the brain stem.
Besides these, thousands of association
nerves are also present in the body.

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PARTS OF SoNS
The Somatic Nervous System consists of three parts:
i) Spinal Nerves: They are peripheral nerves that
carry sensory information into the spinal cord and
motor commands.
ii) Cranial Nerves: They are the nerve fibers which
carry information into and out of the brain stem.
They include smell, vision, eye, eye muscles,
mouth, taste, ear, neck, shoulders and tongue.
iii) Association Nerves: These nerves integrate
sensory input and motor output numbering
thousands.

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Disorders of the Nervous

System

Meningitis- inflammation of the

linings of the brain and spinal cord
Encephalitis- inflammation of the
brain
Epilepsy-seizure disorder.
Excessive discharge from neurons.
1 in 200 suffer. Grand mal or petit
mal seizures
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Cerebral palsy- disturbance in

voluntary muscular action
Parkinsons decreased
neurotransmitter
MS multiple sclerosisautoimmune

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ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

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the endocrine system is in charge of

body processes that happen slowly, such
as cell growth. Faster processes like
breathing and body movement are
controlled by the nervous system. But
even though the nervous system and
endocrine system are separate systems,
they often work together to help the
body function properly.

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Endocrine Glands are glands of the

endocrine system that secrete their
products, hormone, directly into the
blood rather than through a duct. The
main endocrine glands include the
pituitary gland, pancreas, ovaries,
testes, thyroid gland, and adrenal
glands.

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The pituitary gland hangs from the

base of the brain by a stalk and is
enclosed by bone. It consists of a
hormone-producing glandular portion
(anterior pituitary) and a neural portion
(posterior pituitary), which is an
extension of the hypothalamus.
The thyroid gland is located in the
anterior throat. Thyroid malfunctioning
can cause many physical and
psychological problems.

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The parathyroid glands, located on the

dorsal aspect of the thyroid gland, secrete
parathyroid hormone (PTH), which causes an
increase in blood calcium levels by targeting
bone, the intestine, and the kidneys.
The paired adrenal glands sit atop the
kidneys. Each adrenal gland has two
functional portions, the cortex and the
medulla.
The pancreas, located in the abdomen close
to the stomach, is both an exocrine and an
endocrine gland. The endocrine portion
releases insulin and glucagon and smaller
amounts of other hormones to the blood.
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The ovary is an ovum-producing

reproductive organ, often found in pairs
as part of the vertebrate female
reproductive system.

Testes is the male reproductive organ.

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