The Central Nervous System
The Central Nervous System
The Central Nervous System
The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system, which occupy the dorsal body
cavity and acts as the integrating and command centers of the nervous system. They interpret incoming
sensory information and issue instructions based on past experience and current conditions. The spinal
cord attaches to the brain through a hole at the base of the skull, the magnum foramen, and extends all
the way down to the lumbar spine (lower back).
The part of the nervous system outside the CNS, consist mainly of the nerves that extend from the brain
and spinal cord. The 12 pairs of cranial nerves carry impulses to and from the brain and 31
pairs of spinal nerves carry impulses to and from the spinal cord.
FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION
Astrocytes—Astrocytes are small star-shaped glial cells. This cell type is one of the few types that
maintain their ability to reproduce in the mature brain, and it is thought that they might be susceptible to
agents that alter cellular replication. This may explain why most primary tumors in the central nervous
system have an astrocytic origin.
Oligodendrocytes—Oligodendrocytes are highy specialized glial cells that form the myelin
insulation, or myelin sheath, around the axons in nerve cells.
Ependymocytes—Ependymocytes are the glial cells that make up the ependyma, the membrane
that lines the ventricles of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord.
Microglial—Microglial cells function chiefly as scavengers. When central nervous system tissue is
damaged, microglial cells migrate to the site where they proliferate and devour the cellular debris.
NEURONS
A neuron also known as a neurone or nerve cell) is an excitable cell in the nervous system
that processes and transmits information by electrochemical signaling. Neurons are the core components
of the brain, the vertebrate spinal cord, the invertebrate ventral nerve cord, and the peripheral nerves. A
number of specialized types of neurons exist: sensory neurons respond to touch, sound, light and
numerous other stimuli affecting cells of the sensory organs that then send signals to the spinal cord and
brain. Motor neurons receive signals from the brain and spinal cord and cause muscle contractions and
affect glands. Interneurons connect neurons to other neurons within the same region of the brain or spinal
cord. Neurons respond to stimuli, and communicate the presence of stimuli to the central nervous system,
which processes that information and sends responses to other parts of the body for action. Neurons do
not go through mitosis, and usually cannot be replaced after being destroyed, although astrocytes have
been observed to turn into neurons as they are sometimes pluripotent.
BRAIN
1.CEREBRUM
In the cerebrum, there are fifty hundred to one hundred thousand neurons, the telegram of
information is sent from place to place like a telegram. The cerebrum is divided in to two hemispheres, the
right and left hemispheres. The dividing point is a deep grove called the longitude cerebral
fissure. The different sides of the cerebrum do different things for the opposite sides of the body. The right
side of the cerebrum controls things such as imagination and 3-D forms. The other side of the brain, the
left side, controls numbering skills, posture, and reasoning. The hemispheres also consist of many other
parts such as the lobes.
Cingulate Gyrus - a fold in the brain involved with sensory input concerning emotions and the regulation of
aggressive behavior.
Fissure of Sylvius (Lateral Sulcus) - Deep grove that separates the parietal and temporal lobes
Central Sulcus (Fissure of Rolando) - Deep grove that separates the parietal and frontal lobes
Wernicke's Area
Broca’s Area
Corpus Callosum
Thick band of fibers that connects the left and right brain hemispheres
Basal Ganglia
2.DIENCEPHALON
Thalamus - mass of grey matter cells that relay sensory signals to and from the spinal cord and the
cerebrum
Hypothalamus - directs a multitude of important functions such as body temperature, hunger, and
homeostasis
Epithalamus – reflex centers involved in olfaction of the third ventricle. Important part of the
epithalamus are the pineal gland which are endocrine gland involved in biological rhythms,secretes the
hormone melatonin
3. BRAIN STEM
The size of a thumb in diameter and approximately 3 inches.
Medulla Oblongata - Lower part of the brainstem that helps to control autonomic functions such
as control of heart rate,blood pressure, breathing, swallowing and vomiting.
Pons - Relays sensory information between the cerebrum and cerebellum. Important nuclei involved in
the control of breathing.
Reticular Formation - Nerve fibers located inside the brainstem and regulate awareness and
sleep.
Midbrain – small part of the brain stem. It extends from the mammillary bodies to the pons
inferiorly. These bulging nuclei are reflex centers involved with vision and hearing.
4. CEREBELLUM
The large cauliflower projects dorsally from under occipital lobe of the cerebrum. It provides the
precise timing for skeletal muscle activity and controls our balance and equilibrium.
Ventricles and Cerebrospinal Fluid- There are four chambers in the brain, the
ventricles, that contain structures (called the choroid plexus) that produce cerebrospinal fluid. The
cerebrospinal fluid flows through the ventricles and bathes the brain and spinal cord.
Meninges- The meninges is the thin, protective membranous covering that suspends the brain
within the skull and prevents the brain from pressing against the skull's inner surface. The meninges is a
laminated, or layered, structure. The outermost layer is the dura mater ("tough mother" in Latin), a
fibrous membrane that stabilizes the CNS within the skull and the spinal column. The middle layer, the
arachnoid mater, contains cerebrospinal fluid, arteries, veins, and cranial nerve roots. It also
secures the dura to the innermost layer, the pia mater, a delicate membrane that clings to the
contours of the brain, thereby distributing the forces that suspend the brain within the skull.
Blood-brain barrier- Protection from harmful substances in the blood is provided by the so-
called blood-brain barrier.
SPINAL CORD
17 inches glistening white continuation of the brain stem. The spinal cord provides a two-way
conduction pathway to and from the brain and it is a major reflex center (the spinal reflexes are
completed at this level).
Cranial Nerves
There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves that control sensory and motor activities:
I OLFACTORY- Smell
II OPTIC-Vision
III OCULOMOTOR-Eye movement