NERVOUS SYSTEM

What is the
nervous
system?

The nervous system consists of two divisions: the

central nervous system containing the brain and
spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system
which is a network of nerves and neural tissues
branching out throughout the body.
 Types of
neurons…
Neurons are the
nerve cells, the
structural and
functional units of
the nervous
system.
They conduct impulses that enable the body to
interact with its internal and external
environments. There are various types of neurons.
The tissues that support the nerve cells is called
neuroglia (nur ROH glee ah).
 Types of neurons…
The motor neurons
usually have one axon
and several dendrites.
The axon is covered with
a insulating fatty layer
called a myelin sheath,
and transmits signals a
long distance from the
neuron to the area to be
activated. Dendrites are
short and unsheathed.
Motor neurons cause muscle contractions and
control secretions from glands and organs…
controlling body functions.
 Types of neurons…
Sensory neurons do not have true dendrites. They
are attached to sensory receptors and transmit
impulses to the central nervous system, which then
stimulate the interneurons, and then motor neurons.
NERVE RECEPTORS

SENSORY NEURONS

INTERNEURONS

MOTOR NEURONS
Interneurons are located entirely within the central
nervous system. They intercept the impulses from
the sensory neurons and transmit the signals to
the motor neurons.
 Nerve fibers…
Schwann cells, only
found on peripheral
nerves which can
regenerate
Myelin sheath, a fatty
layer of insulation on The axon that transmits
some nerve fibers the message

There are no Schwann cells on nerve fibers in the

central nervous system, therefore damage to those
nerve fibers is not reversible. A bundle of nerve fibers is
simply called ‘a nerve’. AFFERENT nerves conduct
impulses to the central nervous system; EFFERENT
nerves conduct impulses to the muscles, organs, and
glands.
Synapses…
Nerve impulses are transmitted via branches
called synapses. The synapses are connectors…
hooking dendrites and axons from one neuron to
another.
The number of
synapses
influences
transmission.
That number can
decrease with
disease, lack of
stimulation, drug
use, etc.
Gray and white matter of the central
nervous system…
The brain and spinal
cord of the central
nervous system receive
impulses, process the
information, and
respond with the
appropriate action.
Gray matter of the brain and spinal cord consists
of unsheathed nerve fibers (cannot be regenerated
if damaged) in the cortex or surface layer. The
white matter makes up the internal structure, and
consists of myelinated nerve fibers.
Brain and spinal cord meninges…
The brain and
spinal cord are
enclosed by 3
membranes,
collectively
known as the
meninges
(meh NĬN
jeez):
the outside membrane is the dura mater
(DUR ah may ter); the middle membrane is the
arachnoid (ah RACK noid); the inside membrane
is the pia mater (PIE ah may ter).
Parts of the brain…the cerebrum
Taking up 7/8ths of the
brain’s weight, the
cerebrum governs all
sensory and motor
activity. This includes
sensory perception,
emotions, consciousness,
memory, and voluntary
movements.
It is divided into the left and right hemispheres.
The surface or cortex is arranged in bulging folds,
each one called a gyrus (JĪ rus), and furrows,
each one called a sulcus (SULL kus).
Parts of the brain…the cerebrum
The cortex is also divided
into 4 lobes that
correspond to the
overlying bones of the
skull: the frontal lobe
specializes in motor
activity, personality, and
speech; the parietal lobe
is where language,
temperature, pressure,
touch are interpreted;
the temporal lobe contains centers for hearing,
smell, and language input; the occipital lobe
specializes in vision.
Parts of the brain…the cerebellum
The cerebellum is the
second largest part of
the brain. It contains
nerve fibers that
connect it to every part
of the central nervous
system. It coordinates
voluntary and
involuntary patterns of
movements. It also
adjusts muscles to
automatically maintain
posture.
 The diencephalon
Parts of the brain… (die en SEPH ah lon)
the diencephalon refers to the
thalamus and
hypothalamus. The
thalamus is the relay
center for all sensory
impulses except
olfactory (sense of
smell) and motor
areas of the cortex.
The hypothalamus regulates behavior and emotional
expression, body temperature, and many metabolic
activities. Attached to the pituitary gland, it also
controls hormonal secretions of this gland.
Parts of the brain… the brainstem
The brainstem consists of 3 structures: the gray
matter of the midbrain control visual reflexes and
sense of hearing. The white matter of the pons plays
a role in regulating visceral (internal organ) control.
The medulla
oblongata connects
the rest of the brain
to the spinal cord. It
regulates breathing,
swallowing,
coughing, sneezing,
vomiting, heartbeat,
and blood pressure.
The spinal cord…
The spinal cord has 31
segments: 8 cervical
segments that correspond
to the C1-C8 vertebrae; 12
thoracic segments
corresponding to the T1-
T12 vertebrae; 5 lumbar
segments corresponding
to L1-L5 vertebrae, 5 The 44 cm long spinal
sacral segments cord is shorter than
corresponding to S1-S5 the spinal column, so
vertebrae, and 1 segments do not
coccygeal (cock SĬJ ee ul) perfectly correspond
segment. to the vertebrae.
The spinal cord…

At each segment of the spinal cord, left and right

pairs of sensory and motor nerves branch out and
connect to the peripheral nervous system.
Impulses travel back and forth to the brain and
back to the muscles.
 Cerebrospinal fluid…

A colorless fluid is produced in the ventricles of the

brain; it surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It is
called cerebrospinal fluid, and it cushions the brain
and cord from shocks that could cause injury. It is
maintained at a level around 1/2 - 2/3 cup.
Peripheral nervous system…
The network of nerves
branching out
throughout the body
from the brain and
spinal cord is called the
peripheral nervous
system. In addition to
the 31 pairs of spinal
nerves mentioned in the
slides on the spinal
cord, there are 12 pairs
I. The olfactory nerve
of cranial nerves that
carries sensory input
attach to the brain:
for smell
Peripheral nervous system…
II. The optic nerve carries
sensory input for
vision
III. The oculomotor nerve
controls muscles of
the eye and eyelid
IV. The trochlear nerve
(TRŎK lee ur) controls
the eyeball
V. The trigeminal nerve
(try JEM ǐ nul) controls VI. The abducens
the face, nose, mouth, nerve (ab DŪ senz)
forehead, top of head, also controls the
and jaw. eyeball
Peripheral nervous system…
VII. The facial nerve
controls muscles
of the face and

scalp, and part of

the tongue for

sense of taste.
VIII. The auditory
input or and equilibrium.
for hearing
cochlear nerve
IX. The glossopharyngeal
provides sensory (gloss oh fair INJ ee al)

nerve controls saliva, swallowing, and taste.

Peripheral nervous system…
X. The vagus (VĀ gus) nerve
is the longest cranial
nerve, extending to and
controlling the heart,
lungs, stomach, and
intestines.
XI. The accessory nerve
permits movement of the
head and shoulders.
XII. The hypoglassal nerve
(hī pah GLOSS ul)
controls the muscles of
the tongue.
Autonomic nervous system…
The autonomic nervous
system is a part of the
peripheral nervous
system.. it controls the
involuntary bodily
functions such as
sweating, gland
secretions, blood
pressure, and the
heart. It is divided into
the ‘sympathetic’ and
‘parasympathetic’
divisions.
Autonomic nervous system…
The sympathetic
nervous system is
responsible for the
‘flight or fight’
responses… increased
alertness, metabolic
rate, respiration, blood
pressure, heart rate,
and sweating AND a
decrease in digestive and urinary function. The
parasympathetic nervous system counteracts the
responses of the sympathetic system… restoring
homeostasis.
THE END