NERVOUS SYSTEM (PERCEPTION AND COORDINATION)

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY REVIEW

The major divisions of the nervous system are the central nervous system (CNS) and the
peripheral nervous system (PNS).

The CNS is composed of the brain and the spinal cord.

The brain is contained within the cranium; the brains role is to direct the regulation and function
of the nervous system and other systems of the body. The spinal cord is lodged in the vertebral canal.
From the brain, the spinal cord descends down the middle of the back and is surrounded and protected
by the boney vertebral column. The spinal cord is surrounded by a clear fluid called cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF) that protects the delicate nerve tissues against damage from banging against the inside of the
vertebrae.

The PNS is composed of 12 pairs of cranial nerves, 31 pairs of spinal nerves, and the autonomic
nervous system.

The autonomic nervous system is further subdivided into sympathetic and parasympathetic
fibers. The nervous system contains two types of cells: neurons, which transmit or conduct nerve
impulses; and neuroglial cells, which have an interdependent role with the neuron.

Nervous System Cells: Structure and Function

Neurons

The basic unit of the nervous system, the neuron, transmits impulses, or messages. Some
neurons are motor (causing movement or mobility), and some are sensory (causing sensation). Some
process information, and some retain information. When a neuron receives an impulse from another
neuron, the effect may be excitation or inhibition. Each neuron has a cell body, or soma; short, branching
processes called dendrites; and a single axon. Afferent neurons, also known as sensory neurons, are
specialized to send impulses toward the CNS, away from the PNS. Efferent neurons are motor nerve cells
that carry signals

INSPECTION: LOC, SIGHT, PUPILLARY CHANGES, GAIT, POSTURE, ADL, MUSCLE STRENGTH

PALPATION: TENDERNESS AND MUSCLE STRENGTH

PERCUSSION: REFLEXES

Nervous System

- All body activities, voluntary and involuntary

TWO MAJOR COMPONENTS

Central Nervous System- brain and SC; interpret incoming information and issue instructions based on
past experience and current conditions

Peripheral Nervous System- nerves that lead in and out of CNS; parts outside CNS; mainly of cranial
nerves and spinal nerves

Links all parts carry impulses form sensory receptors CNS and from CNS to glands/ muscles

Cerebrum- 2 hemispheres LEFT and RIGHT

Left- data/ information received

 Right- voluntary

Cerebellum- lower portion; coordinates movement and balance

Brain Stem- connects with SC; neurologic functions

*If there is Brain Stem injury- possible pt. will become vegetable

Neurons (nerve cells)- basic elements of nervous system

Nerves (SHOULD MAINTAIN BALANCE: INTACT!) brain body

- SENSORY: organs brain and SC

- MOTOR: brain organs

TWO TYPES OF NERVE TISSUE

NEURONS- basic function unit

THREE TYPES

1. Efferent (motor)- conveys information from CNS muscles and glands;

carry impulse from CNS
2. Afferent (Sensory)- carries information sensory receptors CNS; cutaneous
sense organs; receptors- detect stretch
3. Interneuron- carry and process sensory information; connector

NEUROGLIA/ GLIAL CELLS- serve as supportive cells of the CNS; support, protect, connect and
remove debris form nervous system

TYPES:

1. Astrocytes
2. Oligodendroglia
3. Microglia
4. Ependymal cells

ELECTROCHEMICAL NERVE IMPULSE

- Dendrite (deporalization)
o A stimulus depolarizes the dendrites membrane
- Sodium flows inside the membrane with the help of Na pumps
- This exchange of ions initiates action potential in the neuron

ACTION POTENTIAL (AP)

- If the action potential (nerve impulse) starts, it is propagate to the end of axon
- K ions rush out of neuron after Na ion is rush in, which repolarizes the membrane
- The Na- K pump restores the original configuration- which is resting potential (-)
*This action requires ATP

NERVE IMPULSE BETWEEN NEURONS

- Impulse are able to cross the synapse to another neuron

- Neurotransmitter is released from a neurons axon terminal
- The dendrite of the next neuron has receptors that are stimulated by neurotransmitter
- An AP is started in the denrites

Impulse transmission
Terminal end fibers are located at the ends of the axon and they transmit impulses
Dendrites- conducts impulses TOWARD cell body
Cell Body (soma)- contains organelles and substance; main processing center
o MYELIN SHEATH AND NEURILEMMA ARE COVERINGS
 Axons- conducts impulses AWAY from the cell body
SCHWANN CELLS- produce myelin sheaths in jelly wall like fashion
NODES OF RANVIER- the gaps in myelin sheath along the axon

NEUROTRANSMITTER- excitatory/ inhibitory

1. Acetylcholine- muscle movement

2. Biogenic amine- thinking process
a. Dopamine
b. Norepinephrine
c. Serotonin
d. Epinephrine
3. Amino acids
a. GABA
b. Glutamine

CRANIUM AND CEREBRAL COLUMN

CRANIUM- 8 cranial and facial bones

- Foramen magnum- largest rule through which the brain stem extends to SC
- Vertebral column- protects the SC, supports the head and provides flexibility; strengthened by
ligaments and fibrocartilage disc

REGIONS OF BRAIN

- Cerebral hemisphere ( Cerebrum)

o Interpret sensory input
o Control skeleteal muscle activity
o Process intellect and emotions
o Contains skill memory
- Diencephalon
o Conduct sensory and motor impulse
o Regulate ANS
o Regulate and produce hormone
o Mediates emotional response
- Brain Stem
o Serve as conduction pathway
o Contains respiratory nuclei
o Help regulate skeletal muscle
- Cerebellum
o Process information
o Provides information and necessary for balance and posture and coordinated muscle
movement

CRANIAL MENINGES

- Dura mater
- Arachnoid
- Pia mater

*Falx cerebri- divides left from right

FRONTAL LOBE

- Primary motor area

- Brocas speech center (motor speech)
 - Movement of control voluntary
- Access to current sensory data
- Access to pass information and experience
- Affective response to situation
- Behavior based on judgement and foresight
- Judgement
- Reasoning
- Abstract
- Concentration

PARIETAL LOBE

- Understanding sensation, texture, size and shape

- Somatic sensory area of cerebral cortex
- Important for singing, playing instruments, processing nonverbal