NERVOUS SYSTEM

Is the sensory and control apparatus consisting

of a network of nerve cells. The nerve cells are
called neurons which coordinate the actions of
an animal or human and transmit electrical and
chemical transmission signals between different
parts of its body.

NEURONS
The neuron is the basic element/unit of the
nervous system, a special nerve tissue which
serves a special function. Only neurons have the
specialized ability to transmit nerve impulses.
There are no other structures in the body which can
perform this function of receiving and transmitting
information to and from the brain. Each neuron is a
living cell and has three distinct parts: the
dendrites, the cell body, and the axon.
DENDRITES
They are found at the end of the cell
body. A cell neuron may have more than one
dendrite. They are fine and tiny hairlike
structures that branch out to look like branches
of a tree. They are the receiving ends of the
neuron and receive information inputs
from the environment or from other cells.
This transmission of nerve impulses within a
neuron is electrical in nature and is called
axonal transmissions.
AXON
There is only one axon in a neuron. The
axon is another distinct part of the neuron which
found at its other end. It is an elongated strand
with one or more formations at its far end. This
formations is called end brush or axon terminal.
Some axons are short while others are long, the

axon transmits information away from the cell

body and makes connection or contracts with
other dendrites of other cells to other neurons
or to the muscles or glands. This process of
transmitting from neuron to neuron is chemical
in nature and is called synaptic transmission.
TYPES OF NEURONS:
1. According to length
Long conducting neurons have long single
dendrites. These types of neurons are found
mainly along the pathways of the central
nervous system.
Correlating neurons have many short
dendrites and axons. They provide many
connections
and
pathways
for
neural
excitations.
The central nervous system is composed of both the
long conducting neurons and correlating neurons while
the peripheral system is composed only the correlating
neurons.
2. According to their functions
Sensory or afferent neurons are activated
by environmental stimuli and information about
the environment. They carry these sensory
inputs inward to the spinal cord or the brain.
Association neurons or interneurons are
found between sensory and motor units convey
impulses from sensory to motor neurons.
Motor or efferent neurons control activities
of the muscles and glands. They carry nerve
impulses or orders away from the spinal cord
and brain to the effectors or organs of response
which may be either the muscle or glands.
TWO MAJOR SUBDIVISIONS OF NERVOUS SYSTEM

1. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM consists of

BRAIN and SPINAL CORD

A. BRAIN
-mass of nerve tissue
-protected by membranes and the cranium or
skull
Functions:
1. It receives sensory information about the external
world and may issue motor commands in response to
this information.
2. It maintains and controls vital internal bodily
functions, such as circulation, digestion and the
maintenance of body temperature.
3. It controls muscular movements.
4. It stores memories.
5. It provides emotions.
Three Major Divisions of the Brain
a. HINDBRAIN the lowest part of the brain,
located at the rear base of the skull. It consists
of the medulla, pons, and cerebellum.
Medulla it is responsible for controlling
heartbeat and breathing. It controls the muscles
that are used in such vital activities of the body
like chewing, swallowing, sneezing, coughing
and salivation.
Reticular formation, is a latticelike network of
nerve cells that can be found within the medulla
which directly controls a persons state of
arousal, sleep-waking cycle. A damage to it can
result in an almost permanent coma.
Pons a bundle of nerve fibers that connect
both hemispheres of the cerebellum. It
transmits neural impulses toward and downward

within the central nervous system. Helps control

chewing and facial expressions.
Cerebellum little brain
- responsible for coordination of
muscles, balance, posture, & muscle tone.
b. MIDBRAIN is the smallest of the three primary
divisions of the brain. Through this structure passes all
neural information sent between the brain and the
spinal cord. The midbrain contains centers for visual
and auditory reflexes.
c. FOREBRAIN highest part of the brain and fills
one-half of the cavity of the skull. It is responsible for
the most complex aspects of behavior and mental life.
Two Main Structures of the Forebrain:
1. DEINCEPHALON
Structures: Thalamus is a structure deeply
embedded within the brain that receives a great
deal of sensory inputs from other portions of the
nervous system and then transmits such
information to the cerebral hemisphere and the
other parts of the brain.
Hypothalamus a small structure
located just below the thalamus. It regulates the
autonomic nervous system, thus, influencing
such reactions as sweating, salivating, shedding
tears, secreting digestive juices and changes in
blood pressure. It plays a key role in the process
of homeostasis- maintaining or keeping the
bodys temperature at optimal level-.
2. TELENCEPHALON cerebrum
-It is the largest part of the brain

Structures: BASAL GANGLIA group of brain

structures that lie beneath the cortex.
- their principal role is the
control of movement
- involved in the initiation of
movement and the maintenance of posture.
*Damage to the basal ganglia interferes with muscle
tone, posture, and movement. It results to Parkinsons
disease, a condition characterized by involuntary
shaking of the limbs and heads.
LIMBIC SYSTEM an interconnected group
of structures which form a loop and are closely
connected with the hypothalamus and the inner
surface of the cortex. Within the limbic system are the
Hippocampus and Amygdala
Hippocampus- involved in the process of learning and
memory. Damage in hippocampus will result to severe
memory loss or inability to remember events. Eg.

Alzheimers disease, a common form of senility among

the elderly.
Amygdala involved in the control of emotional
behavior. *Surgical removal of the amygdala in human
beings has been one way of treating extremely violent
behavior.
CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES two large
structures that lie above the brains central core.
Left Hemisphere and Right Hemisphere these two
hemispheres are joined by corpus callosum, a massive
bundle of more than a million fibers.
FOUR MAIN SECTIONS OR LOBES IN EACH CEREBRAL
HEMISPHERE:
1. Frontal Lobe it lies just above the eyes.
- involved in decision making.