Classification of the nervous system

Question 1

Ways of subdividing the nervous system

Answer 1

• Topographical divisions; eg. CNS and PNS
• Functional divisions; somatic (voluntary) and visceral
• Directional subdivisions; Afferent (towards brain and spinal chord) & efferent (away)

Question 2

Three main regions of embryological neural tube

Answer 2

• Prosencephalon; forebrain
• Mesencephalon; midbrain
  -Rhombencephalon; hindbrain

Question 3

Role of the forebrain

Answer 3

• receives and integrates sensory information from nose, eyes and ears

Question 4

Role of the midbrain

Answer 4

• coordinates reflex responses to light and sound

Question 5

Role of the hindbrain

Answer 5

• reflex control of respiration, blood circulation etc.
• motor and mental dexterity

Question 6

Myelination of axons in PNS vs CNS

Answer 6

• Myelination speeds up the velocity of an action potential
• In PNS; achieved by separate Schwann cells
• In CNS; arms of a myelin-forming Oligodendrocyte