NERVOUS SYSTEM

NERVOUS SYSTEM
CONSISTS OF
1. CENTRAL NS (CNS):
BRAIN + SPINAL CORD
2. PERIPHERAL NS (PNS):
CRANIAL NERVES (12 prs)
SPINAL NERVES (31 prs)
A SERIES OF NERVOUS ORGANS WITH A SINGLE
FUNCTION: INFORMATION COMMUNICATION
(in electrochemical language:
fast travelling nerve impulses + releasing
neurotransmitter)
COMPLICATED (ASTRONOMICAL)
INTERCONNECTIONS
&
INTERACTIONS
of neurons

(In the brain: - Neurons: 10
11

- Synapses: 10
15



1 Neuron 10,000 neurons

Convergence
Divergence
NERVOUS SYSTEM
Characterized by:
Complicated strutures & functions
NS FUNCTIONS:
INFORMATION COMMUNICATION
1. MONITORS
SOMATOSENSORY SOMATORECEPTOR EXTERNAL
CNS SENSORY ENVIRONMENT
VISCEROSENSORY VISCERORECEPTOR INTERNAL
2. COORDINATES (interneuron in CNS) APPROPRIATE RESPONSES
(PROCESSES, INTEGRATES)
SOMATOMOTORIC SOMATOEFFECTOR
3. INSTRUCTS *: CNS MOTORIC (Skeletal muscles)
VISCEROMOTORIC VISCEROEFFECTOR
(Organ muscles: smooth m.,
cardiac m., vasa, glandular cell)
* (1).Conscious (2). Unconscious
(info.)
(info.)
STIMULI
(MESSAGES)
ENVIRONMENT
(INTERNAL,
EXTERNAL)
CNS
(brain &
spin. cord)

INTEGRATION
(analyzed
combined
compared
coordinated)
Muscles
(skeletal,
smooth, cardiac,
vasa)
Glands
(endocrine,
exocrine)
HOMEOSTASIS
HOMEOSTASIS (Lat. homois: same, stasis: standing still)
A state of inner balance and stability in the body, which remain
relatively constant, despite external environmental changes
Aff.
Eff.
GENERAL FUNCTIONS OF THE NS
CNS
(brain &
spin.
cord)
PNS
(cran. nn. &
spin. nn)
Afferent
(sensory)
Division
Visceral NS
Efferent
(motor) Division
(Autonomic NS)
Somatic NS
Aff. Div.
Eff. Div.
Sympathetic
NS
Parasympathtic
NS
Complement
each other
Responds to stress &
emergency situations
Conserves & restores
body resources
Aff. Div.
Processes sensory input
from visceral organs
Eff. Div.
Triggers responses in
involuntary musc., glands
Stimulates voluntary muscles
Processes sensory input
from somatic structures
A
f
f
E
f
f
FUNCTIONAL
UNITS OF THE NS
SOMATIC
AUTONOMIC
NERVOUS SYSTEM
1. CENTRAL NS
(1). BRAIN
(2). SPIN. CORD
(MED. SPIN.)

2. PERIPHERAL NS
(1). 12 CRANIAL NN.
(from the brain)
(2) 31 SPINAL NN.
(from the spin. cord)
a. SOMATIC
b. AUTONOMIC
(a). Sympathetic
(b) . Parasympathetic
NEURON:
STRUCTURAL & FUNCTIONAL UNIT OF THE NS
NEURON: - specialized in TRANSMIT IMPULSES
from short to relatively long distances (from
one part of the body or CNS to another).
- two important properties:
(1). EXCITABILITY (the ability to respond to stimuli)
(2). CONDUCTIVITY (the ability to conduct a
signal/impulse)
(Nervous tissue: neuron + neuroglia)
The brain receives million bits of info.from the sensory organs
and integrates them into various responses
NEURON
The most important building block of
the brain: nerve cell (neuron).
Neuron transmits info. in the form of
electrical language (impulses).
The neurons are separated by tiny
gaps (synapse clefts).
When an impulse moves through a
neuron, the cell releases
chemicals (neurotransmitters)
into the synapses.
The neurotransmitters induce or
inhibit impuses in connecting
neurons
NERVOUS SYSTEM (NS)
PERIPHERAL NS CENTRAL NS
AUTONOMIC NS SOMATIC NS
BRAIN
(ENCEPHALON)
SPINAL CORD
(MYELUM/medul-
la spinalis)
SYMPATHETIC NS PARASYMPATHETIC NS
FOREBRAIN
(PROSENCEPHALON)
MIDBRAIN
(MESENCEPHALON)
HINDBRAIN
RHOMBENCEPHALON
TELENC. DIENC. MESENC. METENC. MYELENC.
Cerebrum (cerebral cortex, Basal gangl.
Hippocampus Amygdala Medullary body
Thalamus Hypothalamus
Tectum
Tegmentum
Pons
Cerebellum
Medulla
oblongata
(Medulla)
Parts of the brain
(embryologically)
1. Prosencephalon
(1). Telencephalon (HC)
(2). Diencephalon
(Thalamus,
Hypothalamus)
2. Mesencephalon
3. Rhombencephalon
(1). Metencephalon (Pons,
cerebellum)
(2). Myelencephalon
(Medulla oblongata)
NEURON : Fundamental unit
(structural/functional) of NS
100 billions of cells (stars in the Milkway
Galaxy) in the brain
INFO. COMMUNICATION:
electrochemical in nature (propagation of
action potentials along the membrane of
a neuron and transmission of
neurotransmitters through the synapses)
SYNAPSE (10
15
): point of contact
between neurons
Milkway
Galaxy
Synapse
Transmission of chemical
substances
(neurotransmitters/NTs)
from axon terminal to the
next neuron (Ach, NE, DA,
5-HT etc.)
Types of synapse:
A. 1. Axosomatic;
2. Axodendritic;
3. Axoaxonic;
4. Dendrodendritic
B. 1. Electric;
2. Chemical (NT)
Point of contact among
neurons
HOW NEURONS COMMUNICATE
TO EACH OTHER ?
SYNAPSE
CONSISTS OF:
-Presynaptic
element (part of
axon terminal)
-Synaptic
cleft/space
-Postsynaptic
region (receptor at
the postsynaptic
membrane of the
innervated neuron
or effector
structure)
An action potential
arrives and initiates
synaptic transmission
After synaptic transmis-
sion,acetylcholine (Ach)
and vesicles are received
Synaptic
cleft
TYPES OF SYNAPSES
1. Simple axodendritic or axosomatic
2. Dendritic spine synapse
3. Dendritic crest synapse
4. Simple synapse + axoaxonic
5. Combined axoaxonic and axodendritic
synapse
6. Varicosities (boutons en passant)
7. Dendrodendritic synapse
8. Reciprocal synapse
9. Serial synapse
CONVERGENCE & DIVERGENCE
Types and subtypes of synapses
I.Serial synapses
PRESYNAPTIC
INHIBITION
(-)
I. SENSORY/AFFRENT SYSTEM
(CNS RECEPTOR)

* COLLECTING
* PROCESSING
EXTERNAL
(somatosensory)
RECEPTORS
INTERNAL
(viscerosensory)
RECEPTORS
(Info)
Tension, blood pressure,
pressure, chemical
composition of the blood
(hormones, glucose, CO2,
ions/electrolytes)
(events/stimuli)
CONTACT
(pain, temp., touch, pressure)
DISTANT
(sound, light, odours)
(INFO.)
(CNS) RECEPTOR
I II
II. MOTOR/EFFERENT SYSTEM
( CNS EFFECTOR)
MOTOR/
AFFERENT
SYSTEM
SOMATOMOTORIC Effector: SKELETAL MUSCLES

(INFO.)
VISCEROMOTORIC EFFECTOR: viscera, vasa
smooth muscle,
cardiac muscle,
glandular cell
(exocrine, endocrine)
II
I
Three functional classes of neurons:
1. Afferent/sensory neuron: from receptor
2. Interneuron/association neuron (in the CNS: brain &
spinal cord)
3. Efferent/motor neuron: to effector
DIVISIONS OF THE NERVOUS
SYSTEM
BRAIN (Encephalon)
(within the cranial cavity)
CENTRAL
(CNS)

SPINAL CORD (Medulla spinalis)
(within the vertebral canal)
CRANIAL NERVES (N I - XII)
(from the brain)
PERIPHERAL
(PNS) SPINAL NERVES (31 pairs)
(from the spinal cord)
(functional)

AUTONOMIC (ANS)* (unconscious) SOMATIC (conscious)
(to skeletal muscles)
SYMPATHETIC PARASYMPATHETIC
(to smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glands)
(* ANS has its cranial component in the brain)
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
(anatomical)
12 pairs of cranial
nerves (NI NXII)
31 pairs of spinal nerves
AUTONOMIC
NS
SYMPATHETIC
NS (blue)
(Centers:
thoracolumbal:
T2-L3)
PARASYMPATHETIC
NS (red)
(Centers: craniosacral:
Pons, med.obl.,S2,3,4)

NEURON
(NERVE CELL)
STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL UNIT OF NS*

SOMA (celL body)
(collective: gray matter/ sustantia grisea)
COMPONENT
DENDRITES
PROCESSES
AXON (collective: white matter/
substantia alba)

TERMINAL SYNAPSE
(contact with other neuron/
effector cells)
Fig. 1-2
*NEURON:
Specialized to receive info.
Transmit electrical impulses
(action potentials) synapse:
release of NT(into synaptic cleft)
Influence other effector tissues
(neuron, muscle (skeletal, smooth,
cardiac), glands
NEURON
1. Soma cell (cell body)
(1). Membrane
(2). Cytoplasm
(3). Nucleus + nucleolus
2. Processes
(1). Dendrites
(2). Axon (one) Branches

Axon terminal (terminal
boutton): contains vesicles
with neurotransmitter (NT)
granules
SYNAPSE: point of contact
between neurons
NT: dopamin (DA), serotonin (5-HT),
epinphrine (E), norepinephrine (NE),
GABA etc.
Axon
Collateral
Axon
terminal
Cell body/soma
NEURON
Dendrite
Direction of info. (orthodromic)
Nissls bodies:
rERs (rough
endoplasmic
reticulum)
(Nissls stain:
green)
SYNAPSES (interneuronal contacts)
1. Axosomatic 2. Axodendritic
3. Axoaxonic 4. Dendrodendritic
Axon terminal
Postsynaptic
neuron
Presynaptic
neuron
Neurotransmitter
Synaptic cleft
Electrochemical transmission
TYPES OF
NEURONS
1. UNIPOLAR/
PSEUDOUNIPOLAR (D)
2. BIPOLAR (E, F)
3. MULTIPOLAR (A, B, C)
COMMUNICATION ACROSS THE SYNAPSE
ELECTRICAL IMPULSE (ACTION POTENTIAL) (in the membrane of presynaptic neuron)

RELEASE OF NEUROACTIVE SUBSTANCE (neurotransmitter /NT), neurmodulator,
neuromediator) from the presynaptic element)
(NT is stored in synaptic vesicles in the terminal, and then is released into the
synaptic cleft)

SYNAPTIC CLEFT (SPACE) (NT diffuse rapidly across the synaptic cleft)

BIND TO RECEPTOR SITES on the postsynaptic membrane

NEURON POSTSYNAPTIC MAY BE EXCITED/INHIBITED
(lead to the generation of action potential)
NEUROGLIA
NEUROGLIA (GLIAL CELL)
1.Oligodendrocyte
2. Astrocyte
3. Microglia
4. Ependymal cell
1
2
3
4
NEUROGLIA
4
2
neuron
3
1
GLIA (NEUROGLIA/GLIAL CELL)
FUNCTIONS:
STRUCTURE SUPPORT
MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE MICROENVIRONMENT FOR NEURONAL FUNCTIONS
PHAGOCYTOSIS










CNS PNS

ASTROCYTE OLIGODENDROCYTE MICROGLIA EPENDYMA
Protoplasmic Fibrous (Gray & white (Lining of cerebral
(Gray matter) (White matter) matter) ventricles)


SCHWANN CELLS
SATELLITE CELLS
TYPES OF GLIA
Central glia Peripheral glia
G
L
I
A

1. ASTROCYTES:
- Framework for neuronal migration
(during development)
- Frame certain cluster of neurons
- Secrete growth factor
- Secrete cytokines
- Fill the space by breakdown of debris
(astrocyte proliferate and/or hypertrophy)
- Environment control (ionic/pH)
- Metabolism (participate in neurotransmitter
metabolism)
FUNCTIONS: - Structural support
- Functional support
(maintains microenvironment of neuron)
2. OLIGODENDROCYTES
(occur in gray and whitematters)
Function: myelinisation
(the provision of electrochemically insulating sheath
around some axons in the white matter: myelin
sheath
Myelin sheath:
-Increase speed of conduction of action potential
(AP) along the axon saltatory conduction
- Not continuous NODE OF RANVIER
(between two segments/internodal
segments/internodes)
3. MICROGLIA (1% of the CNS cell population)

Developed from blood cells
(monocytic-macrophage)
Migrate to CNS
Phagocytic scavengers (when activated)
Activates microglia
CNS suffers injury
Migrate to the site of damage
Proliferate

Phagocytose cell debris
Produce cytokines (interleukins)
Antigen-presenting cells Participate in
autoimmune disease processes
NEURONS --------- RECEIVE/PROCESS/SEND
INFORMATION
GLIA --------- * CONTROL ENVIRONMENT
WITHIN THE CNS (MICRO-
ENVIRONMENT)
Shuttle nutritive molecules
(blood neuron)
Remove waste products of neurons
Maintain electrochemicals surroundings of neurons
Guiding developing neurons (migration)
Phagocytosis
Structural support for neurons
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
STRUCTURE
OF NEURON
CELL BODY (soma/perikaryon)
DENDRITES Info
PROCESSES
AXON TERMINALS
(Info)
TERMINAL ARBORS

TERMINAL BOUTONS

SYNAPSES

EFFECTOR / TARGET CELLS
CELL BODY (soma cell)
Contains:
Mitochondria (Power Plant)
Ribosomes
rER : stacks Nissl bodies
Golgi complex (Packing cell products)



UNIPOLAR/PSEUDOUNIPOLAR
(sensory ganglia)
Peripheral/dendrite
Branch ----
TYPES OF NEURON BIPOLAR Central/axon
(see Tab. 2-1) (olfactory, auditory, vestibular)

MULTIPOLAR
(many area of CNS)
Neuronal pole
Principal parts of the brain /encephalon (medial aspect):
1. Cerebrum (Cerebral hemispheres + Diencephalon); 2. Brain stem
(truncus cerebri): Mesenc.+ Pons + Med. Obl.); 3. Cerebellum
Cranial nerves
(N I N XII)
Originated in the brain stem,
except N I & N II
CENTRAL
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
(CNS)*
Spinal cord
Afferent
division
Efferent
division
Brain
PERIPHERAL
NERVOUS
SYSTEM (PNS)
Sensory
stimuli
Visceral
stimuli
Somatic
nervous
system
Autonomic
nervous
system
Sympathetic
nervous
system
Parasympathetic
nervous
system
Motor
neurons
Skeletal muscle Smooth muscle
Cardiac muscle
Glands
EFFECTOR ORGANS
(input to CNS from periphery)
(output from CNS to periphery)
* FUNCTIONAL
DIVISIONS OF THE NS
31 pairs of
spinal nerves
12 pairs
of cranial
nerves
SPINAL CORD
(MEDULLA SPINALIS)
INSIDE THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN
(in the vertebral canal)

31 SEGMENTS

31 PAIRS OF SPINAL NERVES CERVICAL (C) : 8
THORACAL (T) : 12
LUMBAR (L) : 5
SACRAL (S) : 5
COCCYGEAL (Co) : 1
CONTAINS: - SENSORY FIBERS
- MOTOR NEURONS
- ASCENDING/DESCENDING FIBERS
(PATHWAYS/TRACTS TO AND FROM THE BRAIN)
REFLEX CENTER
Cervical (8)
Thoracic (12)
Lumbar (5)
Sacral (5)
Coccygeal (1)
SPINAL NERVE
(Spinal ganglion)
Spinal cord in cross section
White matter (substantia alba) collection of nerve fibers
Grey matter (substantia grissea) collection of soma cells
CLASSIFICATION
& GROUPS OF NEURONS
GROUP OF CELL BODIES
NUCLEUS A cluster of functionally related nerve cell bodies
(pl. nuclei)
COLUMN (in cerebral cortex, spinal cord)
LAYER/STRATUM/LAMINA (in spinal cord)

BUNDLE OF AXONS
TRACT A bundle of axons of a specific
FASCICULUS populations of functionally related fibers
(pl. fasciculi)
LEMNISCUS FUNICULUS (pl. funiculi)/
(pl. lemnisci) SYSTEM
CNS
CELL BODIES
GANGLION A collection of cell bodies
(pl. ganglia)

SENSORY (dorsal root ganglion, cranial
nerve ganglion)
MOTORIC (visceromotoric gangl., autonomic gangl.)

AXONS
NERVES A bundle of axons
RAMUS
(pl. rami)
ROOT/RADIX
PNS