Nervous System Anatomy

Question 1

Functions of the Nervous System

Answer 1

sensory input- any electrical impulses sent from the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, or skin to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
integration- information from the sensory organs is interpreted
motor output- the response generated from the interpretation of sensory input. Occurs in two ways:
-voluntary movement (skeletal muscle)
-involuntary movement (cardiac and smooth muscles)

Question 2

Divisions of the Nervous System

Answer 2

CNS- central nervous system
-brain
-spinal cord
PNS- peripheral nervous system
-all nerves outside of CNS

Question 3

Cerebrum

Answer 3

two hemispheres (right side and left side)
Occipital- eyesight/vision
Temporal- smell and hearing, language, factual and visual memory
Frontal- controls movement, personality and emotion, problem-solving, speech
Parietal- receives and interprets sensory impulses to touch, pain, pressure, and temperature

Question 4

Brain stem

Answer 4

connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord and controls vital signs and sleep patterns
-Pons: “bridge” where nerves cross over
– Midbrain: passageway for electrical impulses
– Medulla Oblongata: vital functions (RR, HR, BP, temp)

Question 5

Cerebellum

Answer 5

controls balance precisely and equilibrium Provides:
-precise timing for skeletal muscle activity
-coordination of body movements

Question 6

Spinal Cord

Answer 6

Primary Functions:
- transmits nerve impulses between the brain, limbs, and lower part of the body
-protected by CSF and the spinal column
-composed of neural tissue

Question 7

Protection of CNS

Answer 7

-scalp and skin
-skull and vertebral column
-meninges
-CSF (cerebrospinal fluid)
-blood-brain barrier

Question 8

PNS

Answer 8

all nerves outside the CNS; it consists of 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves
Primary Functions:
– Receive and transmit messages
to and from all parts of the body.
– Neuron: basic cell of the nervous
system (nerve cell)
* Afferent nerves: sensory nerves;
sends messages to CNS
(ex: touching a hot object is
sensed by the brain as hot to the
touch)
* Efferent nerves: motor nerves;
receives messages from CNS
(example: your hands pull away
from the hot cup once touched)