THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

The NERVOUS SYSTEM has 3 major functions including SENSORY INPUT,

INTEGRATION and SENSORY OUTPUT.
1. SENSORY INPUT is scattered sensory receptors that detect external
and internal changes.
2. INTEGRATION is when Sensory Input is processed and is decided if a
response is required.
3. SENSORY OUTPUT is when a response is required and the body works
to respond to the stimulus.
ORGANIZATION
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS): Consists of BRAIN and SPINAL CORD,
encased in bone. Within CNS neurons can be grouped into: SENSORY,
MOTOR and CONNECTOR or INTERNEURONS.
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS): Nervous system outside of
BRAIN and SPINAL CORD. Divided into two divisions: SENSORY
(AFFERENT) and MOTOR (EFFERENT)
SENSORY/AFFERENT: RECEIVING INFORMATION from receptors and
TRANSMITTING information to the central nervous system. Further divided
into SENSORY SOMATIC or VISCERAL.
SOMATIC has to do with the external body ie. Feeling pain, touch and
pressure. VISCERAL has to do with blood vessels, digestive organs,
respiratory organs, most of the time these do not touch a conscious level.
MOTOR/EFFERENT: TRANSMITION OF INFORMATION from CNS to muscle or
glands. The Motor/Efferent division is further subdivided into SOMATIC or
VISCERAL.
Somatic has to do with the external body ie. Conscious contraction of
striated/skeletal muscles. Visceral has to do with organs ie. Unconscious
contraction of glands or smooth/cardiac muscle.
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM: Divided into the SYMPATHETIC and
PARASYMPATHETIC divisions.
NEURONS AND NERUROGLIAGL CELLS IN CNS
NEURONS are the functional unit of the nervous system. They are composed
of 3 major parts including the: Cell Body, Dendrite(s) and axon.

DENDRITES are extensions of the cytoplasm, responsible for directing

information toward the cell body. AXONS are also extensions of the
cytoplasm, responsible for direction information away from the cell body.
1. ASTROCYTES are positioned between the capillary and the neuron.
Astrocytes regulate which substances come into contact with the
neuron while providing structural support.
2. OLGIODENDROCYTES are responsible for the production of MYELIN,
a fatty, insulating coating around axons that insulate the axon.
3. MICROGLIAL CELLS act to destroy viruses/bacteria that invade the
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
4. EPENDYMAL CELLS line the ventricles in the brain, along with
capillary networks (Choroid plexi) are responsible for Cerebrospinal
Fluid.
NON-NERVOUS CELLS- PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
NEUROLEMMOCYTE CELLS (SCHWANN CELLS) are responsible for
formation of MYELIN around axons in the peripheral nervous system.
SATTELITE CELLS are responsible for surrounding and separating cell
bodies in GANGLIA. Regulate and exchange of nutrients and wastes
between the neuron and their surrounding environment.
THE BRAIN
The Brain is divided into FIVE main regions. However, the brain in early
development is divided into three regions: The FOREBRAIN, MIDBRAIN and
HINDBRIAN.
THE FOREBRAIN
THE CEREBRUM makes up majority of the FOREBRAIN. The cerebrum is
divided into two hemispheres.

The outer covering of the cerebrum is called the CORTEX, made up of

non-myelinated cell bodies of neurons, it is convoluted or folded. The
grooves of the cortex are termed sulci (sulcus/sing) the hills (between
the grooves are termed GYRI) The SULCI divide the cortex into lobes.

The LONGITUDINAL FISSURE is a groove that separates two cerebral

hemispheres, the CENTRAL SULCUS separates the FRONTAL and

PARIETAL LOBE. The LATERAL SULCUS serves as the superior border for
the TEMPORAL LOBE. The PARIETO-OCCIPITAL SULCUS seperates the
PARIETAL LOBE from the OCCIPITAL lobe. The INSULA lobe is located
deep to the TEMPORAL LOBE.

The GYRUS infront of the CENTRAL SULCUS is termed the PRECENTRAL-GYRUS and is MOTOR in function. The GYRUS behind the
CENTRAL SULCUS is termed the POST-CENTRAL GYRUS and is SENSORY.

GREY MATTER is found that eh floor of the forebrain, they group together to
form distinct structures. These structures include the following:
1. THE THALAMUS is a major relay centre for almost all sensory
information that goes into the cerebral cortex.
2. THE HYPOTHALAMUS is the controller for the autonomic nervous
system and the ENDOCRINE SYSTEM.
3. The BASAL GANGLIA is a group of cerebral nuclei that receive
information from the cerebral cortex to regulate skeletal movement.
WHITE MATTER is myelinated axons of neurons that are found beneath gray
matter. Axons that join Gyri in the same hemisphere are termed association
type tracts.
1. COMMISSURAL TRACTS are myelinated axons that join the right and left
hemispheres of the brain. The largest of them is called the CORPUS
CALLOSUM.
2. MYELINATED AXONS responsible for transmitting sensory information
up to the cortex or motor axons that transmit motor information down
through the cerebrum are termed projection tracts/fibres.