Chapter 10: The Nervous System- Notes

Cranial Nerves

- 12 pairs - control multiple functions for the head region

Spinal Nerves

- 31 pairs - originate from the spinal cord and are numbered to correspond with the area of the vertebral column from where they originate

Occipital lobe

- Controls eyesight

Brain

- Coordinates all activities of the body by receiving and transmitting messages throughout the body

CSF: Cerebrospinal fluid

- Fluid which flows throughout the brain and the spinal cord. - Produced within the ventricles of the brain/ Function: Nourish and cools down the brain and the spinal cord

What are the functions and the parts of the nervous system?

- The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, sensory organs, and all of the nerves that connect these organs with the rest of the body. Together, these organs are responsible for the control of the body and communication among its parts.

Stimulus:

- activities nerves, cause impulse

Axon

- conducts the impulse away from the cell

Frontal Lobe

- controls motor function/skills

Terminal fibers

- lead the impulse away from the axon into the synapse

Dendrites

- receive impulses and conduct to the cell body

Sympathetic

-acts in time of emergency. Gets body ready for "fight or flight" response. - Increases breathing rate, heart rate, and blood flow to muscles

Parasympathic

-acts to return the body to normal after a stressful response. -Allows body to maintain homeostasis

Meninges- Brain

3 layers of connective tissue that enclose the brain and spinal cord 1. Dura mater: the tough outermost membrane enveloping the brain and spinal cord. 2. Arachnoid :a fine, delicate membrane, the middle one of the three membranes or meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord, situated between the dura mater and the pia mater. 3. Pia Mater: the delicate innermost membrane enveloping the brain and spinal cord.

Neurons

Basic cell of the nervous system

Medulla Oblongata

Function: Respiration, heart rate and blood pressure

Parietal Lobe

Receives and interprets nerve impulses from the sensory receptors.

The Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates the functions of our internal organs (the viscera) such as the heart, stomach and intestines. The ANS is part of the peripheral nervous system and it also controls some of the muscles within the body.

Peripheral Nervous System

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is one of the two major divisions of the nervous system. The other is the central nervous system (CNS) which is made up of the brain and spinal cord.

Spinal Cord

Transmits nerve impulses between the brain, limbs, and lower part of the body.

Hypothalamus:

Vital body function: Hunger thirst, sleep emotions

Tetanus - (lockjaw)

acute and potentially fatal bacterial infection of the CNS caused by tetanus baci

Syncope (fainting)

brief loss of consciousness caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain

Nerves

bundles of neurons connecting the brain and spinal cord with other body parts

Neurotransmitters:

chemical messengers to transmit impulses between the neurons

Parkinson's Disease (PD)

chronic, degenerative CNS disorder. Characterized by fine muscle tremors, a masklike facial expression, and a shuffling gait

Cranial Hematoma

collection of the blood trapped in the tissues of the brain

Temporal Lobe

controls the sense of smell and hearing

Cerebellum:

coordination and the ability to balance

Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident or CVA)

damage to the brain that occurs when the blood flow to the brain is disrupted due to a blood vessel blockage or rupture.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease) -

degenerative disease of the motor neurons that causes progressive weakness till full paralysis

Amnesia

disturbance in the memory marked by a total or partial inability to recall past experiences

Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

group of disorders associated with the degenerative changes in the brain structure that lead to progressive memory loss, impaired cognition, and personality changes

Meningitis

inflammation of the meninges of the brain or spinal cord

Radiculitis (pinched nerve)

inflammation of the root of the spinal nerve

Ganglion/ Ganglia

knot like mass of nerve cell bodies located outside of the CNS

Aphasia

loss of the ability to speak, write, or comprehend the written or spoken word

Cognition

mental activities associated with thinking, learning, and memory

Cerebrum:

part of the brain which helps with judgement, memory, association, and critical thinking highest levels of thought

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

progressive autoimmune disorder characterized by scattered patches of demyelination of nerve fibers of the brain and spinal cord. This causes disruptions in the transmission of nerve impulses

Myelin

protective covering of the nerve cells

Thalamus

sensation

Seizure (Convulsion)

sudden, violent, involuntary contraction of a group of muscles caused by a disturbance in brain function

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) -

temporary interruption of blood supply the brain. May be a warning for a stroke

Central Nervous system

the complex of nerve tissues that controls the activities of the body. In vertebrates it comprises the brain and spinal cord.

Concussion

violent shaking up or jarring of the brain

Poliomyelitis (Polio)

viral infection of the gray matter of the spinal cord that may result in paralysis

Impulse:

wave of excitation

Pons

where the nerves crossover