Neurology - the study of the nervous system

The Nervous System is divided into the central and the

peripheal nervous systems
The brain and spinal cord make up the central system
The cranial and spinal nerves make up the peripheal system
The Nervous System
regulates and coordinates all body activities
The storage of information for future use is memory
Another body system that helps the Nervous System to regulate
body activities is the Endocrine system
Hormones This system sends chemical messengers to different
parts of the body.
2 Types of cells found in the nervous system
Neuron and neuroglia
Neuron
The functional unit of the Nervous System and transmits
messages.
Purpose of Neuroglia:
Special type of connective tissue help hold neurons in place,
support neurons, insulate neuron, nourish neurons
Function of Dendrites:
Short and branched processes (recievers) bring message to cell
body of neuron
Function of axons:
Single, long process. Conduct the nerve impulse away from the
cell body of the neuron.
Cell Body - Part of the neuron where the nucleus is found.
Synapse the junction of 2 neurons
Sensory Neuron carries messages to the CNS
Motor Neuron (Efferent) carries messages away from the CNS
Connecting Neurons (Interneurons) found within CNS.
Reposible for interpreting information
Neuron Fibers/ Processes other terminology to
describe axons and dendrites
Nerve a bundle of neuron fibers and small blood
vessels bound together by connective tissue and
located outside the CNS.
Mixed Nerve carries messages away/towards the brain
Sensory Nerve carries messages toward the brain
Motor Nerve carries messages away from the brain
Nerve Center a group of neuron cell bodies with similar
function located within the CNS
Ganglion a group of neuron cell bodies with similar functions
lying outside the CNS

Neurilemma
A thin protective celluar sheath found on the axons of some
neurons, aids in the regeneration of nerve fiber
Myelin Sheath
a thick, whitish, fatty substance covering nerve fibers, and
enables the nerve to carry a message faster

The electrolyte that is found primarily inside the neuron

potassium

The electrolyte that is found primarily outside the neuron is

sodium

Neurotransmitters
the end of axons found sacs or bulbs that release chemicals.

7 Neurotransmitters
1. Acetycholine
2. Norepinephrine
3. Dopamine
4. Serotonin
5. GABA
6. Epinephrine
7. Endorphins/ Enkephalins

Exteroceptor
recieves information from outside the body

Proprioceptor
recieves information from muscles, tendons and joints

Interoceptor
recieves information from internal organs

Neuron
Structure which carries out an action or response

Reflex Act
A relatively fixed pattern or behavior that is similar for any
given stimulus meaning we all react the same way to a
particular stimulus

Autonomic Nervous System 2 Divisions:

1. Sympathetic (Adrenergic)
2. Parasympathetic (Cholinergic)

Sympathetic
The division that brings body activities into action quickly and
is in charge when we are undergoing stress

Parasympathetic division that is normally in control

10 Actions of Sympathetic Division of the ANS

1. Dilates (Pupils, Blood vessels in skeletal muscles,
bronchiole tubes [lungs])
2. Flattens (distance, lens)
3. Stimulated (sweat glands)
4. Contractions (goosebumps, arrector pili muscles [hair])
5. Increase rate (heart)
6. Increase (BP)
7. Decrease secretions (GI glands)
8. Stimulated to close (GI Sphincters, adrenalin, adrenal
medulla)

9. Contrict (Blood vessels in GI Tract, blood vessels in skin)

10. Release glucose (liver)
11. Urinary Sphincter (Relaxes and Closes)

Cholinergic drug
mimics parasympathetic action

Adrenergic
mimics sympathetic action

Number of Cranial Nerves

12

Number of Spinal Nerves

31

3 Things that protect the Central Nervous System

1. Skull and Vertebral column
2. Meninges
3. CSF (Cerebraspinal Fluid)

Dura Mater
outermost layer of the meninges

Arachnoid
middle layer of meninges

Pia Mater
innermost layer of the meninges

Subarachnoid Space
Space between the middle and the innermost layer of the
meninges

CSF
circulates in subarachnoid space

The choroid plexus of the brain produces

CSF

List 2 Purposes of Cerebrospinal Fluid

maintain even pressure of brain, shock absorber, buffer

Diameters of Spinal Cord

17 inches long and 1/2 inch wide

Cross section of a spinal cord

Has an "H" shaped gray center that is surrounded by white
(gray and white matter). The gray matter consist of cell bodies
of neurons and unmyelinated fibers. White matter consist of
myelinated nerve fibers

Motor neurons leave the spinal cord through

ventral horns

Sensory neurons enter the spinal cord through

dorsal horns

5 Classifications of Spinal Nerves

1. Cervical (8)
2. Thoracic (12)
3. Lumbar (5)
4. Sacral (5)
5. Coccygeal (1)

Two functions of the Spinal Cord

1. conduct messages to and from brain
2. act as a reflex center

Encephalon
medical term for the brain

Brain derives energy almost exclusively from

sugar

The brain is very sensitive to a lack of

oxygen

How the brain recieves blood supply:

comes via internal carotid arteries, the vetebral arteries, and
circle of willis

Largest part of the brain

Cerebrum

Brain divided into

2 hemispheres

The right brain controls the left side of the body and vice versa
Decussation

Two sides of the brain communicate with each through the

Corpus Collosum

4 Lobes of the Cerebrum

1. Frontal
2. Parietal
3. Temporal
4. Occipital

Deep groove in the Cerebrum

fissure

Shallow groove in the Cerebrum

sulci

Convulsion or raised are on the

Cerebrum is called
gyri

12 Functions of the Cerebrum

1. Speech
2. Memory
3. Reasoning
4. Intelligence
5. consciousness
6. mental processes
7. sensations
8. emotions
9. willed movement
10. sense of humor
11. taste
12. hearing
13. smelling
14. vision

Broca's Speech center

Speech center of the Cerebrum


3 Functions of Thalamus
1. send messages to appropiate part of the brain- directs
them
2. fear
3. pleasure
4. emotional reponses

12 Functions of the hypothalamus

Controls Temperature, Appetite, thirst, sleep, wake center,
food and water balance, regulate metabolism, heart rate,
BP, respirations, vasodilation, peristalsis, emptying
bladder, electrolytes, pain, emotions, helps control
pituitary gland

Second Largest part of the brain:

cerebellum

Cerebellum
concerned with muscle movement and equilibrium

3 Parts of the Brain Stem

1. Midbrain
2. Pons
3. Medulla

6 Functions of the Medulla

Center for:
1. Respirations

2. Heartbeat
3. Blood Pressure
4. Vomiting
5. Sneezing
6. Coughing
7. Micturition (urinating)
8. defecation

12 Cranial Nerves and their function

1. Olfactory I (sensory)- sense of smell
2. Optic II (sensory)- vision
3. Oculomotor III (motor)-eye movements
4. Trochlear IV (motor)- eye movement
5. Trigeminal or Trifacial V (sensory and motor)
sensations of face, scalp, and teeth chewing
6. Abducens VI (motor)- eye movement
7. Facial VII (sensory and motor)- sense of taste facial
expressions
8. acoustic VIII (sensory)- hearing and balance
9. Glossopharyngeal IX (sensory and motor)-sensations of
the throat, taste, swallowing and saliva secretions
10. Vagus X (sensory and motor) slow the heartsensations from throat, larynx, and thoracic and abd
organs. Swallowing, voice, production, slowing of heart,
acceleration of peristalsis
11. Spinal Accesory XI (motor)- shoulder and neck
movements
12. Hypoglossal XIII (motor)- tongue movement