Neuro+ Flashcards
Which cranial nerves do not arise from the brainstem?
Olfactory (CN1) and Optic (CN2)
Which cranial nerves arise from the midbrain?
Oculomotor (CN3) arises from anterior midbrain and Trochlear arises from dorsal midbrain (CN4)
Which cranial nerves arise from the pons?
Trigeminal (CN5) Abducens (CN6) Facial (CN7) Vestibulocochlear (CN8)
Which cranial nerves arise from the medulla?
Glossopharyngeal (CN9) Vagus (CN10) Spinal accessory (CN11) Hypoglossal (CN12)
- What is the name of Cn1?
- Where does it exit the skull?
- Sensory, motor or both?
Olfactory nerve
Cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone
Sensory - olfaction (sense of smell)
- What is the name of Cn2?
- Where does it exit the skull?
- Sensory, motor or both?
Optic nerve
Optic canal
Sensory - vision
- What is the name of Cn3?
- Where does it exit the skull?
- Sensory, motor or both?
Occulomotor
Superior orbital fissure.
Motor and parasympathetic.
- What is the name of Cn4?
- Where does it exit the skull?
- Sensory, motor or both?
Trochlear.
Superior orbital fissure.
Motor
- What is the name of Cn5?
- Where does it exit the skull?
- Sensory, motor or both?
Trigeminal - 3 branches: ophthalmic V1, maxillary V2, mandibular V3. Exit through Some Random ‘Oles.
V1 = superior orbital fissure - sensory
V2 = foramen rotundum - sensory
V3 = foramen ovale - sensory and motor (for mastication)
- What is the name of Cn6?
- Where does it exit the skull?
- Sensory, motor or both?
Abducens
Superior orbital fissure
Motor
- What is the name of Cn7?
- Where does it exit the skull?
- Sensory, motor or both?
Facial.
Internal acoustic meatus.
Both: sensory and motor and parasympathetic.
- What is the name of Cn8?
- Where does it exit the skull?
- Sensory, motor or both?
Vestibulocochlear.
Internal acoustic meatus.
Sensory.
- What is the name of Cn9?
- Where does it exit the skull?
- Sensory, motor or both?
Glossopharyngeal.
Jugular foramen.
Both: sensory and motor and parasympathetic.
- What is the name of Cn10?
- Where does it exit the skull?
- Sensory, motor or both?
Vagus.
Jugular foramen.
Both: sensory and motor and parasympathetic.
- What is the name of Cn11?
- Where does it exit the skull?
- Sensory, motor or both?
Spinal Accessory.
Jugular foramen.
Motor.
- What is the name of Cn12?
- Where does it exit the skull?
- Sensory, motor or both?
Hypoglossal.
Hypoglossal canal.
Motor
Which cranial nerves are parasympathetic nerves and where do they come from?
Cn 3, 7, 9 and 10, S2 -> 4
- What does Cn1 innervate?
- What are it’s functions?
- Innervates: olfactory epithelium.
- Function: olfaction.
- What does Cn2 innervate?
- What are it’s functions?
- Innervates: retina.
- Function: vision.
- What does Cn3 innervate?
- What are it’s functions?
- Innervates: medial, superior and inferior rectus muscles and inferior oblique and levator palpebrae superioris.
- Motor function: movement of eyeball.
- Parasympathetic function: constriction and accommodation.
- What does Cn4 innervate?
- What are it’s functions?
- Innervates: superior oblique.
- Functions: movement of eyeball.
- What does Cn5 innervate?
- What are it’s functions?
- Sensory innervation: face, scalp, cornea, nasal and oral cavities, anterior 2/3 of tongue, dura mater.
- Motor innervation: muscles of mastication and tensor tympani.
- Sensory function: general sensation.
- Motor functions: open and close the mouth. Tenses tympanic membrane.
- What does Cn6 innervate?
- What are it’s functions?
- Innervates: lateral rectus.
- Function: eye movement, abduction.
- What does Cn7 innervate?
- What are it’s functions?
- Special sensory innervation: anterior 2/3 of tongue - taste.
- Motor innervation: muscles of facial expression and stapedius.
- Parasympathetic innervation: submandibular and sublingual and lacrimal glands.
- Sensory function: taste.
- Motor function: facial movement and tension of ossicles.
- Parasympathetic function: salivation and lacrimation.
- What does Cn8 innervate?
- What are it’s functions?
- Innervation: cochlea and vestibular apparatus.
- Functions: hearing and proprioception of head and balance.
- What does Cn9 innervate?
- What are it’s functions?
- Sensory innervation: posterior 1/3 of tongue, middle ear, pharynx, carotid bodies.
- Motor innervation: stylopharyngeus.
- Parasympathetic innervation: parotid gland.
- Sensory functions: general sensation, taste, chemo/baroreception.
- Motor functions: Swallowing (larynx and pharynx are elevated).
- Parasympathetic function: salivation.
- What does Cn10 innervate?
- What are it’s functions?
- Sensory innervation: pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, external ear, aortic bodies, thoracic and abdominal viscera.
- Motor innervation: soft palate, larynx, pharynx.
- Parasympathetic innervation: CV, respiratory and GI systems.
- Sensory functions: general sensation.
- Motor functions: speech and swallowing.
- Parasympathetic functions: control over CV, respiratory and GI systems.
- What does Cn11 innervate?
- What are it’s functions?
- Innervation: trapezius and sternocleidomastoid.
- Functions: movement of head and shoulders.
- What does Cn12 innervate?
- What are it’s functions?
- Innervation: intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue.
- Function: movement of the tongue.
How would you test CN1?
Ask patient to identify smell
How would you test CN2?
Visual acuity (use Snellen chart), pupillary light reflex, fundoscopy
How would you test CN3?
Pupillary light reflex
Stand 1m away and ask patient to follow your finger whilst you draw a H in the air. Ask about double vision, check for ptosis (eyelid drooping) & nystagmus (uncontrolled eye movements)
How would you test CN5?
Test sensory component: assess light touch on forehead V1, cheek V2 and jaw V3
Motor component: ask patient to clench teeth, feel bulk of masseter and temporalis bilaterally
How would you test CN4?
Innervates superior oblique,
Ask patient to look down and in
If damaged eye drifts upwards and patient has double vision
How would you test CN7?
Assess for symmetry in face at rest. Test facial expression by asking patient to: raise eyebrows, close their eyes tightly, blow out cheeks, smile, frown
How would you test CN8?
Weber’s test = place tuning fork in centre of forehead, should be heard equally in both ears
How would you test CN9?
Provides sensory supply to palate
Test = gag reflex or touch arches of pharynx
How would you test CN10?
Provides motor supply to pharynx
Hoarse voice = vocal cord paralysis
Nasal voice = palate paralysis
Ask patient to say ‘aah’
1. Palate fails to rise = bilateral lesions
2. Uvula & palate not central and deviate to ‘normal’ side = unilateral paralysis
How would you test CN11?
Test Trapezius = ask patient to shrug shoulders
Test Sternocleidomastoid = turn head against resistance
Which nerve supplies sensation and taste to the posterior 1/3rd of the tongue?
Glossopharyngeal nerve - CN9
How would you test CN12?
Ask patient to protrude tongue and move it from side to side. Damage to the nerve will cause paralysis of the IPSILATERAL half of the tongue - licks the lesion (tongue movement towards lesion)
Which part of the nervous system is responsible for the cranial nerves?
Peripheral nervous system because their axons extend beyond the brain. BUT not optic nerve!!
Which part of the nervous system is responsible for the optic nerve?
The second cranial nerve is not a true peripheral nerve but a tract of the diencephalon. Cranial nerve ganglia originated in the CNS.
Where do cranial nerves 3, 4, 5 & 6 exit the skull?
Superior orbital fissure
CN5 = V2 maxillary branch exits in foramen rotundum and V3 mandibular branch exits via foramen ovale
Where do cranial nerves 7 and 8 exit the skull?
Internal acoustic meatus
Where do cranial nerves 9, 10 & 11 exits the skull?
The jugular foramen
How can you test CN9 and CN10 at the same time?
The gag reflex.
What are the branches of the facial nerve?
Temporal, zygomatic, buccal, mandibular, cervical
Two Zebras Buggered My Cat
How does pouring warm or cold water into the internal acoustic meatus test the vestibulocochlear nerve?
It disrupts the movement of endolymph in the semicircular duct. This stimulates cristae hair cells (movement sensors). The vestibular nerve is now stimulated and via the oculogyric nuclei in the brainstem will cause nystagmus (involuntary eye movement).
When pouring water into the internal acoustic meatus to test the vestibular division of the vestibularcochlear nerve, does the pattern of nystagmus change with different water temperatures?
Yes! Remember - COWS
Cold water causes nystagmus in the opposite eye
Warm water will cause nystagmus in the direction of the same eye
What are the 2 main arteries that supply blood to the brain?
- Vertebral arteries.
2. Internal carotid arteries.
Which arteries supply about 80% of blood to the brain?
The internal carotid arteries.
What are the vertebral arteries a branch of?
The subclavian arteries
Where do the vertebral arteries enter the skull?
Through the foramen magnum
What are the internal carotid arteries branches of?
The common carotids. Arise from bifurcation at the same level as the upper border of the thyroid cartilage.
What do the vertebral arteries supply?
The posterior cerebrum and the
contents of the posterior cranial fossa.
Where do the internal carotid arteries enter the skull?
Through the carotid foramina
What are the terminal branches of the internal carotid arteries?
The middle and anterior cerebral arteries
What does the middle cerebral artery supply?
The lateral surface of the hemispheres.
What does the anterior cerebral artery supply?
The medial aspect of the hemispheres and the corpus callosum
What does the posterior cerebral artery supply?
The occipital lobe.
What do the two vertebral arteries form?
The basilar artery.
Where is a berry aneurysm likely to occur?
At branching points in the circle of willis, especially at the anterior communicating artery.
What is a berry aneurysm?
A sac-like out pouching that will progressively enlarge until it ruptures resulting in haemorrhage.
What are the two types of stroke?
- Ischaemic.
2. Haemorrhagic (intracerebral or subarachnoid).
Which artery supplies 4/5ths of the corpus callosum?
Anterior cerebral artery
Which artery supplies 1/5th of the corpus callosum?
Posterior cerebral artery
What are the three main sinuses in the brain?
Superior sagittal sinus
Inferior sagittal sinus
Straight sinus
Where do the superior sagittal sinus and the straight sinus converge?
At the confluence of sinuses
What forms the confluence of sinuses?
The superior sagittal sinus and the straight sinus.
Where are dural venous sinuses located?
In between the endosteal and meningeal layers of dura.
Where do cerebral veins drain into?
Into dural venous sinuses.
Where are dural venous sinuses located?
In between the endosteal and meningeal layers of dura.
What sinus does the great cerebral vein drain into?
The straight sinus
Where does the inferior sagittal sinus drain?
Into the straight sinus.
Where is the straight sinus located?
In the midline of the tentorium cerebelli.
Briefly describe the pathway of venous drainage starting at the great cerebral vein.
Great cerebral vein (along with the superior and inferior sagittal sinuses) drains into → straight sinus → transverse sinus → sigmoid sinus → internal jugular vein → jugular vein → brachiocephalic vein → SVC.
Structures pass through the cavernous sinus to enter the…….
orbit
Where is the only site in the body where an artery (internal carotid) passes completely through a venous structure?
The cavernous sinus
What vessels lie in the cavernous sinus?
OTOM CAT
Oculomotor nerve, Trochlear nerve, Ophthalmic branch of CNV, Maxillary branch of CNV, internal Carotid artery, Abducens nerve, Trochlear nerve.
- Cn 3, 4, 5(1), 5(2) and 6.
- Internal carotid artery.
Why is the cavernous sinus of clinical importance?
If this sinus is infected Cn 3, 4, 5(1), 5(2) and 6 and the internal carotid artery could be affected.
What are emissary veins?
Veins that allow the dural venous sinuses and veins outside the skull to communicate.
Which type of veins represent a possible route for infection to spread into the cranial cavity?
Emissary veins.
Where does venous blood in the brain collect?
Between the endosteal and meningeal layers of dura.
What are the five facial bones?
Zygomatic, maxilla, nasal, lacrimal and mandible
Anatomically, what are the two parts that the cranium is divided into?
Calvarium (roof)
Cranial base
How many bones is the Calvarium made from?
Four bones: frontal bone, occipital bone and two parietal bones.
How many bones is the cranial base made from?
Six bones: frontal bone, ethmoid bone, sphenoid bone, temporal bone, parietal bone and the occipital bone
List the lobes of the brain.
- Frontal lobe
- Parietal lobe
- Occipital lobe
- Temporal lobe
- Brainstem
- Cerebellum
The cerebrum contains two cerebral hemispheres. What are they separated by?
The falx cerebri of the dura mater
Embryologically, what is the cerebrum derived from?
The prosencephalon
What is the corpus callosum?
A huge fibre bundle that connects the left & right hemispheres together
Frontal lobe: where is it located? What separates it from other lobes? What is is involved in?
- Most anterior part of the cerebrum
- Separated from the temporal lobe by the lateral sulcus and from the parietal lobe by the central sulcus
- Involved in motor function, problem solving, speech and writing, judgement, personality, impulse control and social and sexual behaviour
- Pre-frontal = personality
- Dominant hemisphere contains Broca’s area
Temporal lobe: where is it located? What separates it from other lobes? What is is involved in?
- Sits beneath the temporal bone of the calvaria, inferior to the frontal and parietal lobes, from which it is separated by the lateral sulcus
- Accountable for memory and language and contains the primary auditory cortex, hippocampus, amygdala
- Wernicke’s area is located in the superior temporal gyrus of the left hemisphere
Occipital lobe: where is it located? What separates it from other lobes? What is is involved in?
- Is located at the posterior aspect of the brain, situated below the occipital bone
- It contains the primary visual and visual association cortex
- Function: Understanding visual images and meaning of written words
Parietal lobe: where is it located? What separates it from other lobes? What is is involved in?
Between the frontal lobe anteriorly and the occipital lobe posteriorly
It is separated from these lobes by the central sulcus and parieto-occipital sulcus
There are two parietal lobes, and the dominant lobe (normally the left) is important for perception, interpretation of sensory information and the formation of the idea of a complex, meaningful motor response.
The nondominant lobe (normally the right) is important for visuospatial functions.
Contains the primary sensory area
Where is a) the primary auditory cortex b) the primary visual cortex and c) the primary sensory area located in the brain?
A = temporal lobe B = occipital lobe C= parietal lobe
Where is Broca’s area located and what is essential for?
Brodmann 44 - a region in the frontal lobe of the dominant hemisphere, usually the left, of the brain.
Linked to speech production (remember BP)
Where is Wernicke’s area located and what is essential for?
Brodmann 22 - It is located in the temporal tobe and is (most commonly) in the left cerebral hemisphere
Is responsible for the comprehension of speech (remember WC)
What structure joins the two hemispheres of the cerebellum?
The vermis
How is the cerebellum separated from the occipital lobe?
By the tentorium cerebelli
How many lobes does the cerebellum have and what is its main function?
Three lobes; superior, middle & inferior
It does the most complex of tasks and is essentially responsible for finely coordinated voluntary movement
Where does the cerebellum receive its input from?
Receives input from motor cortex, brain stem nuclei & sensory receptors
How is the cerebellum attached to the brainstem?
Through the superior, middle and inferior peundcles.
What do the superior peduncles do?
They connect the midbrain and the cerebellum and carry mostly efferent fibres.
What do the middle peduncles do?
They connect the pons and the cerebellum and they ‘tell’ the cerebellum about voluntary motor outputs.
What do the inferior peduncles do?
They connect the medulla and the cerebellum and convey muscle proprioception and vestibular inputs
Name the layers of the cerebellum from outer to inner.
- Molecular layer - fibre rich
- Purkinje cell layer
- Granular layer - largest layer dominated by granular cells
Which are the two input fibres into the cerebellum?
- Mossy fibres 2. Climbing fibres
Where do climbing fibres originate, how do they enter the cerebellum and which layer do they end in?
- Come from the olivocerebellar nuclei of the medulla
- Enter the cerebellum via the inferior cerebellar peduncle
- End in purkinje cell layer
Where do mossy fibres originate, how do they enter the cerebellum and which layer do they extend to?
- Come from the pons and cerebral cortex
- Enter via the middle cerebellar peduncle
- End in granular layer
Which axons carry all of the output from the cerebellum?
Purkinje cell axons.
Where do most of the purkinje cell axons go?
Most go to the dentate nucleus. They then pass into the superior cerebellar peduncle to decussate, and then travel to the thalamus and the red nucleus.
Are purkinje cell axons inhibitory or excitatory?
They are inhibitory (GABAergic). Thus, cerebellum inhibits activity in other places in the CNS.
Name 4 cerebellar nuclei.
- Dentate.
- Emboliform.
- Globose.
- Fastigial.
What is the affect on movement in cerebellar injury?
Movements are slow and uncoordinated.
What are some symptoms of cerebellar injury?
- Loss of coordination.
- Inability to judge distances.
- Intention tremor.
- Staggering, wide based walking.
- Weak muscles.
What is the only cranial nerve to emerge from the dorsal aspect of the brainstem?
The trochlear nerve (cn4)
What do the inferior cerebellar peduncles convey?
Ipsilateral muscle proprioception, balance and vestibular inputs - vestibulocerebellar tract and dorsal spinocerebellar tract. Also fibres from inferior olivocerebellar tract.
What do the middle cerebellar peduncles convey?
They send information from the primary motor cortex about the motor plan to the cerebellum - corticopontocerebellar tract.
What afferent signals do the superior cerebellar peduncles convey?
Ipsilateral information on proprioception and balance from the ventral spinocerebellar tract.
What efferent signals do the superior cerebellar peduncles convey?
Efferent signals from the dentate nucleus that go to the red nucleus and thalamus.
Which part of the brain produces instinctive emotional output, is responsible for emotional memory and is responsible for fear?
The amygdala
Name the parts of the brainstem.
- Midbrain (mesencephalon)
- Pons (metencephalon)
- Medulla oblongata (myelencephalon)
Which cranial nerve nuclei are located in the brainstem?
All of the cranial nerve nuclei, except those associated with olfaction and vision (cn1, cn2)
What is the tectum?
The tectum (Latin: roof) is the dorsal (top) part of the midbrain (mesencephalon) Contains the inferior and superior colliculus
What is the tegmentum?
Ventral part of the midbrain, located between cerebral aqueduct and the substantia nigra and forms the ‘floor’.
Includes the RED NUCLEUS
What are the 3 meningeal layers?
- Dura mater (outermost).
- Arachnoid mater.
- Pia mater (inner most).
What are the 2 connective tissue sheets of dura mater?
- Endosteal layer - lines the cranium.
2. Meningeal layer.
Name 3 locations where the dura mater folds inwards as dural reflections?
- Falx cerebri.
- Tentorium cerebelli.
- Falx cerebelli.
Describe the dura mater.
Fibrous outer layer
Has two layers – the endosteal and the meningeal
For the most part the two layers are fused but sinuses are formed in spaces between these layers
What exists between the arachnoid and pia mater?
The subarachnoid space which contains CSF and arteries.
Describe the arachnoid mater.
Spaces exists between arachnoid and pia called subarachnoid cisterns/space (full of CSF)
Has arachnoid villi which are little protrusions that extend upwards through the dura into the sinuses – allow CSF to exit subarachnoid space
Avascular and not innervated
Describe the pia mater.
Indistinguishable with naked eye
Closely adherent to underlying tisuue
Forms part of the BBB – highly vascular
Fuses with ependymal cells of the choroid plexus in the ventricles
Which meningeal layers are vascular?
The dura and pia mater = highly vascularised.
The arachnoid mater is avascular and not innervated!
Define meninges.
The membranous coverings of the brain and spinal cord. There are three layers known as the dura mater, arachnoid mater and pia mater.
What is the blood-brain barrier?
A semipermeable membrane separating the blood from the cerebrospinal fluid in the central nervous system and constituting a barrier to the passage of cells, particles, and large molecules.
Name the 3 elements that make up the blood-brain barrier.
- Capillary endothelial cells.
- Basement membrane.
- Astrocytic end-feet.
Name some key features of the blood-brain barrier.
Capillary endothelial cells, continuous basement membrane, astrocyte end-feet, pericytes, endothelial tight junctions and specific transport proteins.
What are the parts of the brain that lack the blood-brain barrier called and give an example of one of these areas?
CIRCUMVENTRULAR ORGANS e.g. posterior pituitary - they are highly permeable need to be able to secrete hormones directly into the blood stream
How many vertebra are there?
7 cervical vertebra, 12 thoracic vertebra, 5 lumbar vertebra, 5 saccrum vertebra (fused), 4 coccyx vertebra (fused) = 33 vertebra in total
How many spinal nerves are there?
31 = 8 CERVCAL, 12 THORACIC, 5 LUMBAR, 5 SACRAL & 1 PAIR OF COCCYGEAL NERVES
Where do the spinal nerves exit the vertebral canal?
Through the intervertebral foramina
Where do the cervical segments of the spinal nerves exit?
Approx. 1 vertebra HIGHER their corresponding vertebra [EXCEPT C8, which below one vertebra]
Where do the thoracic segments of the spinal nerves exit?
1-2 vertebra BELOW their corresponding vertebra
Where do the lumbar segments of the spinal nerves exit?
3-4 vertebra BELOW their corresponding vertebra
Where do the sacral segments of the spinal nerves exit?
Around 5 vertebra BELOW
What type of nerves are spinal nerves?
A spinal nerve is a mixed nerve, which carries motor, sensory, and autonomic signals between the spinal cord and the body
What do the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves carry?
Afferent (SENSORY) neurons & cell bodies in the dorsal root ganglion
What do the ventral roots of the spinal nerves carry?
Efferent (MOTOR) neurons & cell bodies in the grey matter Each nerve then divides to form a a small dorsal/posteriori ramus and a larger ventral/anterior ramus
What is C1 called?
The atlas
What is C2 called?
The axis
What is the odontoid peg?
A projection superiorly on C2 that provides an axis around which the neck can rotate. It represents the vertebral body of C1, which has fused with the body of C2.
Define spinal cord.
A major column of nervous tissue that extends from the medulla oblongata to the L1/L2 junction of the vertebral column
Where does the spinal cord end in an adult?
Between the L1/L2 junction.
Where does the spinal cord end in a newborn baby?
L3
When does the spinal cord run the entire length of the vertebral canal?
At 3 months of foetal life
What is the corda equina?
A bundle of spinal nerves and spinal nerve rootlets, consisting of the L2-L5 lumbar nerve pairs, the S1-S5 sacral nerve pairs, and the coccygeal nerve, that hang obliquely downwards below the termination of the spinal cord.
Describe the shape of the vertebral column.
Sinusoidal
Describe the movements of the vertebral column .
o Forward flexion - 40o
o Extension - 15o
o Lateral flexion - 30o
o Rotation - 40o
Where is flexion limited in the vertebral column?
In the thoracic area due to the presence of the ribcage
Which parts of the vertebral column is rotation maximal and minimal?
Maximal = thoracic region Minimal = lumbar region
What shape is the vertebral column in the foetus?
C-shaped
After birth secondary curvatures with convexity develops in the cervical and lumbar regions. What action of the child initiates this process at each location.
Cervical region = when the child holds up their head
Lumbar region = when the legs begin weight-bearing
What is the conus medullaris?
The tapered, lower end of the spinal cord. In the shape of a cone.
What is the filum terminale?
A fibrous strand that proceeds downwards from the apex of the conus medullaris.
What is the inferior colliculus responsible for?
Auditory processing
What is the superior colliculus responsible for?
Visual processing
What are afferents?
Axons taking information towards the central nervous system e.g. sensory fibres
What are efferents?
Axons taking information from the central nervous system to another location e.g. motor fibres
Define dermatome.
An area of skin with a sensory nerve supply from a single root of the spinal cord.
What is the dermatome for the thumb?
C6
What is the dermatome for the knee?
L3
What is the dermatome for the big toe?
L5
What is the dermatome for the nipple?
T4
What is the dermatome for the umbilicus?
T10
What is the dermatome for the small toe?
S1
What is the dermatome for the middle three toes?
L5
What is the dermatome for the ring and little finger?
C8
What is the dermatome for the index and middle finder?
C7
Where does the spinal cord end in the embryo?
It runs the entire length of the vertebral column.
Where would you insert a lumbar puncture needle?
At the L3/L4 level in the sub-arachnoid space in order to take CSF.
Where would you insert an epidural needle?
Between the dura mater and vertebrae in order to inject anaesthesia.
What type of joints are intervertebral discs?
Secondary cartilaginous joints (hyline & fibrous cartilage)
What are the two parts that make up the intervertebral discs?
- The nucleus pulposus
2. The annulus fibrosus
What do the intervertebral discs function as?
- Ligaments to hold the vertebrae together
2. Shock absorbers for the spine
What are the ANATOMICAL divisions of the nervous system?
- The central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
2. The peripheral nervous system (mainly cranial and spinal nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body)
What are the FUNCTIONAL divisions of the nervous system?
The peripheral nervous system can be subdivided into
- The somatic nervous system
- Autonomic nervous system
Briefly describe the somatic nervous system.
Associated with voluntary control of body movements via skeletal muscles
Briefly describe the autonomic nervous system.
A control system that acts unconsciously and regulates bodily functions - supplies smooth muscle and glands, and thus influences the function of internal organs.
What 3 categories can the autonomic nervous system be further divided into?
- Sympathetic nervous system - FIGHT-OR-FLIGHT response.
- Parasympathetic nervous system - stimulation of “REST-AND-DIGEST” or “FEED AND BREED”
- Enteric nervous system- mesh-like system of neurones that governs the function of the gastrointestinal tract.
How do somatic motor neurones differ from autonomic motor neurones?
Somatic motor neurone leaves the spinal cord and synapses straight onto the effector. Autonomic motor neurones have a pre-ganglionic and post-ganglionic component and so synapse at the ganglia and then at the effector.
Name some of the features of somatic motor neurones.
Voluntary effectors = striated/skeletal muscles
Single motor neurone from spinal cord to target muscle
NT always stimulatory
ACh released at synapse
No firing at rest
Effector at rest is flaccid
Axons are well myelinated by Schwann cells, conducts impulses rapidly
Name some of the features of the autonomic motor neurones.
Involuntary effectors = smooth & cardiac muscle
Usually two neurones (pre-ganglionic and post-ganglionic) with synapse (ganglion) between spinal cord and target muscle
NT stimulatory or inhibitory
ACh and NE released at synapses
Baseline firing – speeds up when stimulated
Effector at rest has intrinsic tone
Conduction is slower due to thinly or unmyelinated axons
Define neurone
Basic cellular unit of the nervous system
Neurones account for 50% of the cells in the CNS, what accounts for the remaining 50%?
Glial cells - surround the soma (cell body), axon and dendrites of neurones and provide them with physical & metabolic support
What is the general structure of a neurone?
1) Cell body (soma) - genetic and metabolic centre
2) Axons - conducting systems of neurones, used to transmit information, myelinated with nodes of Ranvier
3) Dendrites - receive information is transmitted to cell body (soma) via dendrites and they create connections between neighbouring neurones.
What are the three functional classes of neurones?
- Afferent - sensory
- Efferent - motor
- Interneurones - within the CNS
Which type of glial cells are found in the peripheral nervous system and NOT the central nervous system?
Schwann cells
What type of glial cells are the most numerous type of glial cells in the CNS?
Astrocytes
What is the tentorium cerebelli?
Tough dura mater that separates the occipital lobe from the cerebellum
What separates the frontal and parietal lobe?
Central sulcus
What separates the temporal lobe from the parietal and frontal lobes?
The lateral sulcus (sylvius fissure)
Where is the primary motor cortex located?
In the precentral gyrus of the frontal lobe
Where is the somatosensory cortex located?
In the postcentral gyrus of the parietal lobe
What is the homunculus?
An inverted somatotrophic representation of body in the motor and somatosensory cortex. The size of the area of the cortex is proportional to the degree of innervation to that part of the body.
What type of cells are the ventricles and and spinal cord lined by which regulate the production & flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
Ependymal cells
What is the neuronal resting potential?
-70mV
How is neuronal resting potential maintained?
3Na+ are pumped out of the cell for every 2K+ pumped in. Both ions have to move against their respective concentration gradients, it is therefore an active transport process and requires ATP. There are many Na+/K+ transport pumps.
In neuronal resting potential, what are the relative concentrations of potassium and sodium inside/outside the cell?
High intracellular K+ concentration
High extracellular Na+ concentration.
Describe the sequence of events in generating an action potential.
- Impulse reaches axon, causing partial depolarisation
- -60mv threshold reached → Na+ channels open
- Influx of Na+ into the cell → depolarisation
- +30mV threshold reached → Na+ channels closes and K+ channels open
- Efflux of potassium out of the cell → repolarisation
- Hyperpolarisation → potential becomes more negative to prevent another impulse
- Na/K+ pump returns ions to original concentration.
What is neuronal threshold potential for sodium channels to open?
-60mV
What is neuronal threshold potential for sodium channels to close and potassium channels to open?
+30mV
What is hyperpolarisation?
When the charge in the neurone is more negative than it was at it’s resting potential (>-70mV). It is caused by slow potassium channels.
What are the 2 components of a refractory period?
The absolute refractory period which is followed by the relative refractory period
How long does the refractory period last?
5-10ms
What is the absolute refractory period?
Occurs during the period when the voltage-gated Na+ channels are either already open or have proceeded to their inactivated state– so a second stimulus, no matter how strong, will not produce a second action potential
What is the relative refractory period?
Follows the absolute refractory period and is an interval whereby a second action potential can be produced – but only if the stimulus strength is considerably greater than usual
What is saltatory conduction?
Is the propagation of action potentials along myelinated axons that leap from one node of Ranvier to the next node, increasing the conduction velocity of action potentials.
What two main factors do propagation speeds depend on?
- Fibre diameter
2. Myelination
Why do larger fibre diameters increase propagation speeds?
A larger fibre offers less internal resistance to local current meaning adjacent regions of the membrane are able to reach threshold faster
Why do myelinated axons have greater propagation speeds than non-myelinated axons?
Because there is less “leakage” of charge across the myelin meaning a local current can spread faster along an axon
Also, the concentration of Na+ channels in the myelinated region of the axon is low. Therefore, action potentials only occur at the nodes of Ranvier, where the myelin coating is interrupted and the concentration of voltage- gated Na+ channels is high
What are nodes of Ranvier?
A gap in the myelin sheath of a nerve, between adjacent Schwann cells that serves to facilitate the rapid conduction of nerve impulse