Overview of the Nervous System Flashcards
What are the subcategories of the human nervous system?
The human nervous system is comprised of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS)
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) splits off into the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system
The central nervous system (CNS) comprises the brain and spinal cord
The PNS refers to all parts of the nervous system other than the brain and spinal cord- comprises the somatic and autonomic nervous systems
The somatic nervous system is a component of the peripheral nervous system that innervates the skin, joints and skeletal muscle
The autonomic nervous system is a component of the peripheral nervous system that is comprised of sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions
What is the Cerebrum?
The cerebrum is the largest part of the forebrain- comprises the cerebral cortex and several subcortical structures Parts of the cerebral cortex: Frontal lobe Temporal lobe Parietal lobe Occipital lobe
What are sulci, gyri and fissures?
Cerebrum; sulci, gyri and fissures
The cerebrum is noteworthy for its convoluted surface containing ‘bumps’ called gyri, grooves called sulci or, if especially deep, fissures
Precise pattern of gyri and sulci can vary between individuals but many features are common to all human brains
What are the different cerebral cortex parts responsible for?
Frontal lobe Control of voluntary movement Control of behaviour: Attention, planning and decision making Motivation and emotional regulation Parietal lobe Sensory processing an interpretation Proprioception (i.e. equilibrium and balance of the body) Temporal lobe Auditory processing and interpretation (e.g. speech) Memory (formation of long-term memories) Occipital lobe Visual processing and interpretation (e.g. distance and depth perception, colour, object and face recognition)
What is the Hippocampus, its functions and dysfunctions?
Hippocampus is a region of the cerebral cortex embedded deep within the temporal lobe
Functions:
Learning
Memory formation and retrieval
Regulation of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
Hippocampal dysfunction?
In 1985, Clive Wearing contracted a virus that caused damage o his hippocampus:
Anterograde amnesia- inability to create new memories
Retrograde amnesia- generally unable to recall past memories
What are the basal ganglia and its function?
Subcortical structures; basal ganglia
The basal ganglia refer to a large and functionally diverse set of neural structures embedded deep within the cerebral hemispheres
Primarily involved in regulating movement (initiation and maintenance of movement, inhibit antagonist movements)
What is the diencephalon?
The diencephalon is a division of the forebrain situated between the cerebrum and midbrain- comprises the thalamus and the hypothalamus
What is the thalamus, its functions and dysfunction?
The thalamus is a large collection of nuclei located in the dorsal part of the diencephalon
Different thalamic nuclei each serve unique functions:
Relay between sensory (excluding olfaction) and motor systems and the cerebral cortex
Regulate arousal and pain, mood, motivation and cognitive functions
Synaesthesia:
A blending of information streams can result in synaesthesia:
Hearing colour
Feeling sounds
What is the hypothalamus, its functions and dysfunctions?
The hypothalamus is a small, almond-sized collection of nuclei located directly above the brainstem
Function:
Smaller collection of nuclei with various functions
Homeostatic, reproductive and other diverse functions (e.g. fight or flight response)
Fight or flight response involves the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis–> cortisol and adrenaline release
Hypothalamic dysfunction?
Hypothalamic dysfunction plays a role in a number of conditions:
Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
What is the brainstem?
The brainstem is the portion of the brain that lies between the diencephalon and the spinal cord- comprises the midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata
What is the function of the midbrain?
Midbrain functions?
Include the control of eye movements, auditory and visual processing
What is the pons function?
Relay of motor information from cerebral hemispheres to the medulla, spinal cord and the cerebellum
What is the medulla oblongata function?
Cardiovascular (e.g. blood pressure) and respiratory homeostasis
Reflexive actions including vomiting, swallowing, coughing and sneezing
What are the different dysfunctions associated with the brainstem?
Brainstem dead- unable to regain consciousness or breath without the support of an artificial life support machine
Loss of blood circulation to all brainstem regions
Locked-in syndrome
Awake and conscious but no means of producing speech, limb or facial movements
Loss of blood circulation to pons
What is the cerebellum and its functions?
The cerebellum (or little brain) is a prominent hindbrain structure- it accounts for approximately 10% of the human brains volume Cerebellum functions? The cerebellum does not initiate movement but detects differences in motor error between an intended movement and the actual movement Aids the motor cortex to produce precise and co-ordinated movement Is the function of the cerebellum conserved? It has been shown that, for example, the cerebellum is important in synchronisation of movement with musical rhythm
