Lecture 2: Structure and function of the nervous system Flashcards
anatomical terminology:
Dorsal
ventral
rostral
caudal
Dorsal: the back
ventral: the belly
rostral: the beak
caudal: the tail
Cross-sections of the brain:
coronal
sagittal
axial
coronal: front to back
sagittal: left to right
axial: top to bottom
The nervous system:
CNS
brain (cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem)
spinal cord
cluster of neurons in CNS
Nuclues (nuclei)
The nervous system:
PNS
Nervous system that is not the brain and spine.
cluster of neurons in PNS
ganglion (ganglia)
Function of PNS
to connect the CNS to the limbs and organs
PNS consists of 2 systems
somatic motor system: voluntary muscles
autonomic motor system: involuntary muscles (reflexes) and organs. system is always active but can be in a sympathetic or parasympathetic state
sympathetic state
expending the energy (fight or flight)
Parasympathetic state
conserving energy (rest and digest)
CNS:
Grey matter
neurons can be found in the thin sheet of tissue on the outside of the brain, this is the grey matter
CNS:
White matter
neurons in distant brain areas are connected via axons with myelin sheets that form the white matter.
CNS:
menignes
The three protective layers of membranes that the CNS is covered in.
1. dura matter: thick membrane, closest to the scull
2. arachnoid matter: not attached to the dura matter does not line the brain down to the sulci.
3. pia matter: delicate membrane that firmly adheres to the surface of the brain. can get infected; mengingites)
CNS:
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
your brain floats in CNF; the area between the arachnoid membrane and the pia matter (subarchnoid space) is filled with CNF.
CNF is there to protect the brain. it reduces shock when hit on the head. and to clean it.
CNS:
4 large Ventricles
cavities in the brain filles with CSF
1. left and right lateral ventrical
2. third ventricle
3. fourth ventricle
interventricular foramen
a short passage extending from the lateral ventricle to the third ventricle
cerebral aquaduct
narrow 15mm conduit that allows for cerebrospinal fluid (CNF) to flow between third and fourth ventricle
Bloodsupply:
irruptions of the blood supply to the brain can be caused by?
obstruction of an artery
heamorrhage from the blood vessel
> causes damage to the brain (brain lesions)
Two main sources of blood supply
internal carotid arteries
vertebral arteries
basilar artery
left and right arteries merge at the level of the pons: basilar artery
basilar artery and internal cartotid meat at the circle of willis
Spinal cord
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal