Structure Of The Nervous System Flashcards
What is the human nervous system comprised of?
Comprised of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS)
What is the Peripheral nervous system broken down into?
- Somatic nervous system
- Autonomic nervous system
Describe the brain as an organ
- The most complex organ in the human body
- Controls basic fundamental life processes
- Also controls more complex processes
List the basic fundamental life processes of the brain
- Breathing
- Organ function
- Movement
List the complex processes of the brain
- Thought
- Behaviour and emotion
- Creating memories
What are the major regions of the brain?
- Forebrain: Telecephalon (or cerebrum), Diencephalon
- Brainstem: Midbrain, Pons, Medulla Oblongata
- Cerebellum
List the different axes of the brain
- Anterior (Front) and Posterior (Behind)
- Rostral (Nose) and Caudal (Tail)
- Dorsal (Top) and Ventral (Bottom)
- Superior (Above) and Inferior (Below)
List the different planes of the brain
- Coronal: Divide the brain into front (anterior) and a back (posterior) section
- Horizontal: Divide the brain into an upper (superior) and lower (inferior) section
- Sagital: Divide the brain into two hemispheres, Further characterised as midsagittal (midline) or parasagittal (more lateral)
Describe the hippocampus
State it’s function
- A region of the cerebral cortex embedded deep within the temporal lobe
- Learning
- Memory formation and retrieval
- Regulation of hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis
What are two types of hippocampal dysfunction?
- Anterograde amnesia
- Retrograde amnesia
What is the coronal, Horizontal, Sagittal sections of the brain?
Reveals important regions within the forebrain, including various sub-cortical structures
What are the cranial nerves in the brain?
Describes the twelve pairs of nerves arising from the brainstem that perform a diverse range of functions
List, in order, the cranial nerves in the brain
- Olfactory 2. Optic 3. Oculomotor 4. Trochlear 5. Trigeminal 6. Abducens 7. Facial 8. Auditory vestibular (Vestibulocochlear) 9. Glossopharyngeal 10. Vagus 11. Spinal accessory 12. Hypoglossal
Describe the Cranial Nerves XI and XII
Cranial nerve XI (Spinal accessory):
- Somatic motor: Movement of muscles in the throat and neck
Cranial nerve XII (Hypoglossal):
- Somatic motor: Movement of the tongue (e.g. Swallowing and speech)
List the support and protection regions of the brain
- Meninges
- Ventricular system
- Vasculature system
What is the meninges?
What does it comprise of?
- The meninges describes the 3 membranous layers that cover the brain and spinal cord
- Comprises of:
- Dura Mater
- Arachnoid mater
- Pia mater
What is the function of the meninges?
- Primary function: The protection of the brain and spinal cord
- Passage of cerebrospinal fluid - Ventricular system
- Support of cerebral and spinal blood vessels - Vasculature system
Describe the ventricular system of the brain
- The ventricular system comprises a series of interconnected, Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) filled spaces that lie at the core of forebrain and brainstem
What does the ventricular system comprise of?
- Lateral ventricles
- Third ventricles
- Fourth ventricles
- The choroid plexus is responsible for producing the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that fills these ventricular spaces
What is the function of the ventricular system?
- Protection of the brain
- Transport
- Other functions include regulation of Buoyancy
Describe the Vasculature of the brain
- Two pairs of arteries supply blood to the brain!
- Internal carotid arteries
- Vertebral arteries
Describe which parts of the brain these arteries supply
- Anterior circulation is derived from the internal carotid arteries: Supplies the forebrain (Cerebrum and Diencephalom)
- Posterior circulation is derived from the vertebral arteries: supplies the brainstem, cerebellum and upper spinal cord
Describe the vertebral arteries
- Vertebral arteries converge near the base of pons to form the basilar artery
- Basilar artery splits into the right and left superior cerebella’s arteries and the posterior cerebral arteries at the level of the midbrain
- Posterior cerebral arteries send branches: Posterior communicating arteries that connect to the internal carotid arteries
Describe the internal carotid arteries
- Internal carotid arteries branch to form the middle cerebral arteries and the anterior cerebral arteries
- Anterior cerebral arteries are connected by the anterior communicating artery
- Ring of connected arteries form the circle of Willis at the base of the brain
List the functions of the Vasculature system
- Delivery of oxygen (O2)
- Removal of carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Transport (Nutrients, waste products)
