Terre Lara

According to the National Cancer Institute, the NSW Department of Education, and Holes
Human Anatomy and Physiology the nervous system is responsible for three general functions: a sensory
function, an integrative function, and a motor function. Therefore, the nervous system is responsible for
being able to send signals, integrate these signals, and act upon the signals to perform the actions, which
is a part of the motor function. The sensory nerves gather information from inside of the body and the
outside environment. The nerves then carry the information to the central nervous system (CNS).1 Next,
the sensory information that is brought to the central nervous system is processed and interpreted.
Finally, the motor nerves convey the information from the central nervous system to the muscles and the
glands of the body.2

Figure 1: Protections of the Central Nervous System in the brain are made up of the Scalp, Bone,
Meninges (Dura Mater, Pia Mater, Arachnoid Mater), and Cerebrospinal Fluid. Drawing by Terre
Lara.

Figure 2: Neuroglia made up of the cells of Pia Mater, Blood Capillary, Node of Ranvier, Myelin
Sheath, Axon, Neuron, Microvillus and Cilium. Neuroglia are the cells that protect and support neurons.
Drawing by Terre Lara.
1

(2008). The organisation of the body - NSW Department of ... Retrieved February 20, 2015, from
http://lrrpublic.cli.det.nsw.edu.au/lrrSecure/Sites/LRRView/7700/documents/5657/5657/5657_01.htm
.
2
(2009). SEER Training: Introduction to the Nervous System. Retrieved February 20, 2015, from
http://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/nervous/
.

Figure 6: Cranial nerves by the number. Drawing by Terre Lara and Barbara Bolek3
Cranial Nerve

Nerve Name

Assessment

Result

I.

Olfactory

Smell Vanilla

II.

Optic

Read eye chart

III.

Oculomotor

Observe eyelids

IV.

Trochlear

Move eyes

V.

Trigeminal

Touch corner of eye

VI.

Abducens

Shine penlight on pupils N

VII.

Facial

Check tip of tongue for N

taste of sugar

VIII.

Vestibulocochlear

Balance

IX.

Glossopharyngeal

Check uvula

(2014). Facing cranial nerve assessment - American Nurse Today. Retrieved February 23, 2015, from
https://www.americannursetoday.com/assets/0/434/436/440/5120/5122/5154/5156/904adb93-6d32-4770-83d
7-e6f1ad1667d2.pdf
.

CRANIAL NERVE ASSESSMENT

X.

Vagus

Check uvula

XI.

Accessory

Shrug shoulders

XII.

Hypoglossal

Stick out/retract tongue N

Table 1: Cranial nerve assessment normal or abnormal.

Graph 1: The diagram above represents the voltage of nerve impulses.

Absolute refractory period
is
when the neuron membrane cannot respond to a second stimuli.
Relative refractory period
is when
there is a response to large stimuli.
Graded potential
is the point right before the nerve is triggered.
Depolarization
is the state of reversal of the resting potential due to an influx of sodium ions.
Action
potential
is the self-propagated transmission of the depolarization wave along the neuron membrane.
Repolarization
is a period during which potassium ions diffuse out of the neuron.
Hyperpolarization
is
the change in the membrane that make it more negative.
Resting membrane potential
is the period at
which the cell is at rest.
TOXINS AND THEIR EFFECTS
TOXINS
Synthetic Nerve

EFFECTS
Destroys the myelin covering your optic
nerves and motor neurons which results
in a decrease of the action potential.

Batrachotoxin

Causes voltage-gated sodium channels to

open at a more negative membrane
potential and prevents inactivation which
results in a stoppage of the action
potential.

Dendrotoxin K

Blocks voltage-gated potassium channels

which results in repolarization.

General Anesthetic like Sevoflurane

Opens more potassium channels in

neurons of the reticular formation in the

brainstem which results in depolarization.

Potassium flooding the Brain

Mutant Gene

Causes extracellular potassium levels to

be ten times greater than normal which
leads to headaches and confusion.
Produces channels that are
non-functional which results in genetic
disorders.

Table 2: Table of toxins and their effects.

The protections of the brain include the scalp, bone, cerebrospinal fluid, and the meninges. The
meninges include the pia mater, arachnoid mater, and the dura mater. The pia mater is the innermost

covering of the brain and is very delicate. This meninge helps to enclose cerebrospinal fluid which aids in
protecting and cushioning the brain. The arachnoid mater is the middle meningeal layer and has a
cobweb like structure. The arachnoid mater allows cerebrospinal fluid to exit the subarachnoid space
and enter into the bloodstream. Finally, the dura mater is the outermost covering of the brain which is
composed of tough fibrous connective tissue that is responsible for keeping in the cerebrospinal fluid.
The bone protects the skull from any harm because it forms the periosteum of the skull . Cerebrospinal
fluid flows throughout the brain and spine and serves as a shock absorber for the CNS. The neuroglia
are cells that support, protect, and furnish nutrients to neurons. Neuroglia are generally smaller and more
abundant than neurons. There are six types of neuroglia, four which are located in the Central Nervous
System and two which are located in the Peripheral Nervous System. The four neuroglia located in the
CNS are the astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and ependymal cells. The astrocytes wrap around
and cover neurons and blood vessels to keep neurons in place. Astrocytes also form a blood-brain
barrier. The oligodendrocytes support the CNS neurons and have processes that form around axons
that increase the speed of nerve impulses. The microglia are responsible for getting rid of bacteria and
debris in the CNS. The ependymal cells line all four ventricles of the brain and form the cerebrospinal
fluid which circulates through the ventricles of the CNS. The two neuroglia located in the PNS are the
Schwann cells and satellite cells. Schwann cells aid in the regeneration of axons and wrap around the
axons in the PNS. Satellite cells help to regulate and maintain the neuron environment and surround the
neuron cell bodies located in the ganglia of the PNS. Neurons conduct action potentials and are the
structural and functional units of nervous tissue. Neurons take part in cell to cell communication such as
in the nerves. For example, an injection into the shoulder which resulted in an inability to extend the wrist
and fingers would be due to an injury of the accessory nerve. The nervous system is a very complex
system which is responsible for many actions that take place in our body. Without the nervous system it
would be very difficult to have a sense of taste, smell, touch, hearing and vision.

Works Cited
(2008). The organisation of the body - NSW Department of ... Retrieved February 20, 2015, from
http://lrrpublic.cli.det.nsw.edu.au/lrrSecure/Sites/LRRView/7700/documents/5657/5657/5657_01.htm
.
2
(2009). SEER Training: Introduction to the Nervous System. Retrieved February 20, 2015, from
http://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/nervous/
.
3
(2014). Facing cranial nerve assessment - American Nurse Today. Retrieved February 23, 2015,
from
https://www.americannursetoday.com/assets/0/434/436/440/5120/5122/5154/5156/904adb93-6d324770-83d7-e6f1ad1667d2.pdf
.
1