Physiology of the Central

Nervous System
 NERVOUS SYSTEM

CNS PNS

BRAIN SPINAL CORD ANS SNS

Sympathetic Parasympathetic
Structures/Substances that protect the
brain and spinal cord
Bones

Meninges

CSF

Blood Brain Barrier

BRAIN and SPINAL
CORD

BRAIN

SPINAL CORD
Meninges

CRANIAL MENINGES

SPINAL MENINGES
SUBDURAL SPACE
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Found in the ventricles, cistern and
subarachnoid space.
Produced in the choroid plexus (50-
70%), ependymal surfaces, around the
blood vessels and subaracnoidal
membranes.
Constitutes 15% of the brain volume
Characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid
CSF is clear, colorless and alkaline
fluid
Volume ≈ 150 ml
Rate of production ≈ 500 - 550 ml/day
Turnover ≈ 3 - 4 times / day
CSF pressure ≈ 120 – 180 mm H2O or
70 – 180 mm CSF
Functions of CSF
It protects the brain and spinal
cord
It regulates the extracellular
environment of the brain and
spinal cord
Provides nutrition
Hydrocephalus
Accumulation of large amount of
fluid (CSF) in the brain.
Blood Brain Barrier
Barrier to free ion flow between the blood
and the brain tissue.
Immature at birth
Composed of;
Endothelial cells (tight junction)
Epithelial cells of the choroid plexus (tight
junction)
Plial and arachnoid membranes
Footlike processes of asrocytes
Disruption of BBB can be due to;
Infection
Trauma/injury
Tumors
Marked increases in blood pressure
Intravenous injection of hypertonic
fluid
Functions of BBB
It maintains the constancy of the
environment of the neurons in the CNS.
It protects the brain tissue from
endogenous and exogenous toxins in the
blood
It prevents the escape of NTA into the
general circulation.
Permeability of BBB
highly permeable (small and non polar)
water, CO2, O2, L-dopa (dopamine), and 5-HT
(serotonin)
less permeable (small and large polar
substances)
glucose (GLUT1 55k and 45k), HCO3-, Na+, Cl-
K+ (Na+K+Cl- cotransporter), H+ etc.
impermeable
proteins protein-bound substances
Cerebral Hemispheres
Activity in the two hemispheres is
coordinated by interconnections
through the cerebral commisures.
Bulk of the neocortex is
interconnected through the corpus
callosum
“Cerebral Dominance”
Dominant (Categorical ) Hemisphere
For sequential and analytical processes
Main language center
Center for calculation
Expressing ideas in speech and writing
Understanding printed and spoken words
Stereognosis

Dominance appears at about 5 – 7 years of age

Non-dominant (representational) hemisphere
Spatiotemporal relations
Simple language comprehension
Stereognosis
Non-verbal ideation
Recognition of faces
Identification of objects by their form
Appreciation of art/music/tones
Interpretation of body language
Hemispheric dominance - Handedness

In 96% of right handed – the dominant hemisphere is

the left
In 15% of left handed – the dominant hemisphere is
the right
In 15% of left handed – there is no clear lateralization
In 70% of left handed – the dominant hemisphere is
the left
Basal Ganglia
Controls rate of voluntary motor
activity
Either enhance or decrease voluntary
motor activity
Also involved in planning and
programming motor command
 LIMBIC SYSTEM
Formerly called
rhiencephalon
Intimately concerned with
emotional expressions
(fear, rage and sexual
behavior) and with the
genesis of emotions
plays a role in olfaction
concerned with autonomic
responses
 Limbic System
The allocortex and juxtallocortex
Major connections to the hippocampal system,
olfactory tract and amygdala
Along with the hypothalamus  concerned with
sexual behavior, emotions (rage & fear) and
motivation

Prolonged after-discharge following stimulation

so emotion is not easily turned on and off at will
EMOTIONS
Mental Components
Congnition
Affect
Conation

Physical Components
Hypertension
Tachycardia and tachypnea
Sweating
THALAMUS
sensory and motor relay to the cerebral cortex
HYPOTHALAMUS
Functions of Hypothalamus
regulation of body temperature
anterior hypothalamus - response to heat
posterior hypothalamus - response to cold
Functions of Hypothalamus
regulation of endocrine activity by secreting
various hormones:
ADH (vasopressin)
Oxytocin Paraventricular
Supraoptic nuclei
catecholamines Arcuate nucleus

CRH - paraventricular
GRH - paraventricular and arcuate nuclei
TRH - paraventricular nuclei
GnRH - preoptic
PRH /PIH - periventricular and arcuate nucleus
Functions of Hypothalamus
regulation of food
intake
satiety center -
ventromedial nucleus
 decreases appetite when
stimulated
feeding center -
lateral hypothalamus
 increases appetite when
stimulated
Functions of Hypothalamus
regulation of water
intake
 thirst center - lateral
hypothalamus
 increases water intake when
stimulated
controls circadian
rhythm
suprachiasmatic nuclei
Functions of Hypothalamus
regulation of
autonomic responses
concerned with sexual
behavior, emotions of
rage and fear
and motivation
autonomic function
regulation of the cardiovascular system
regulation of the respiratory system
body water and electrolyte balance
regulates GI secretory activities
ENDOCRINE FUNCTIONS
BRAIN STEM
Composed of
Midbrain
Pons
Medulla
oblongata
MIDBRAIN
acoustic relay,
control of eye
movement and motor
control
cranial nerves
associated with the
pons and midbrain
are III, IV, V, VI and
VII
PONS
respiratory and urinary
bladder control
vestibular control of eye
movement
MEDULLA OBLONGATA
contains vital centers
Cardiovascular centers
Respiratory centers
responsible for brainstem
reflexes
vomiting
sneezing
swallowing (central
program generator)
gagging
coughing
control of visceral functions and brainstem
reflexes
cranial nerves associated with the medulla
are the XII, XI, X, IX and part of VII.
brainstem reflexes  Gustatory, Gag,
Cough, Baroreceptor, Chemoreceptor,
Vomiting
 involved in motor
CEREBELLUM coordination
CEREBELLUM
 helps regulate movements and posture
and also involved in some forms of
motor
learning.
 its major role is for motor coordination

(rate, range, force and direction of the

movement)
SPINAL CORD
 Spinal Cord
Center for reflex actions
Somatic and autonomic afferent pathways
Somatic and autonomic efferent pathways
Center for micturition and defecation
Exerts tonic influence on muscles
Involve in the execution of motor commands
Provides communicating branches for the
autonomic nervous system