FUNCTIONS OF THE NERVOUS -2 divisions: of

SYSTEM 1. Sensory division or afferent

• Receiving sensory input (toward) division
-Sensory receptors monitor numerous -Conducts action potentials from
external and internal stimuli. sensory receptors to the CNS with the
• Integrating information aid of sensory neurons.
-The brain and spinal cord are the 2. Motor  division  or  efferent (away)
major organs for processing sensory division
input which may initiate responses, be -Conducts action potentials from the
stored as memory, or be ignored. CNS to effector organs such as
• Controlling muscles and glands. muscles and glands with the aid of
-The system stimulates contraction of motor neurons. Can be subdivided
skeletal muscle controlling the major based on the type of effector being
movements of the body. It also innervated.
participates in controlling cardiac
muscle, smooth muscle, and many •Somatic nervous system
glands. -Transmits action potentials from the
• Maintaining homeostasis CNS to skeletal muscles
-The system has the ability to detect,
interpret, and respond to changes in •Autonomic nervous system
internal and external conditions which -Transmits action potentials from the
in response can stimulate or inhibit the CNS to cardiac muscles, smooth
activities of other system to help muscle, and glands.
maintain a constant internal -Divided in to sympathetic and
environment.   parasympathetic division.
• Establishing and maintaining mental
activity
•Enteric nervous system
-The brain is the center of mental
-Unique subdivision of the PNS
activity, including consciousness,
which has both sensory and motor
memory, and thinking.
neurons contained within the
digestive tract.
DIVISION OF THE NERVOUS -Can function without input from
SYSTEM the CNS or other parts of the PNS.
• Can be divided into two major
divisions:
CELLS OF THE NERVOUS
1.  Central Nervous System (CNS) SYSTEM
-Consists of the brain and spinal cord NEURONS OR NERVE CELLS
2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) •Receive stimuli, conduct action
-Consists of all the nervous tissue potentials, and transmit signals to other
outside the CNS  neurons or effector organs.
-Links the CNS with the various parts •Three parts:
of the body.
1.) Cell Body -Consist of many dendrites and a
-Contains a single nucleus (gene single axon.
expression). -Found in most of the neurons within
2.) Extensive rough ER, a Golgi the CNS and nearly all motor neurons.
apparatus and mitochondria surround 2.)Bipolar neurons
the nucleus. -Consist on ne dendrite and one axon.
3.) Other contents are neurofilaments L
(intermediates filaments) and -Located in some sensory organs
microtubules. (retina of the eye and in nasal cavity).
3.) Pseudo-unipolar neurons
DENDRITES -Consist of single axon extending from
•Short, often highly branching the cell body.
cytoplasmic extensions that are tapered -Divides into processes: •
from their bases at the neuron cell a.)Extends to the periphery.
body to their tips. b.)Extends to the CNS.
•Receive information from other
neurons or from sensory receptors and
GLIAL CELLS OR NEUROGLIA
transmit the information toward the
neuron cell body. • Supportive cells (do not conduct
action potential) of the CNS and PNS.
• More numerous than neurons.
AXON
• Most retain the ability to divide
•A single long cell process extending
whereas neurons do not.
from the neuron cell body.
• Types:
•Axon hillock
1.) Astrocytes
-The area where the axon leaves the
neuron cell body. -Major supporting cells in the CNS
•Sensory neurons -Stimulate or inhibit the signaling
activity of nearby neurons.
-Its axons conduct action potentials
towards the CNS. -Participate with the blood vessel
endothelium to form the blood-brain
•Motor neurons
barrier.
-Its axons conduct action potentials
-Help limit damage to neural tissue.
way from the CNS.
2.) Ependymal cells
•Conduct action potential from one
part of the brain or spinal cord to -Line the fluid-filled cavities
another part. (ventricles and canals) within the CNS.
•Surrounded by a myelin sheath -Produce and help move (with cilia)
(highly specialized insulating layer of CSF through CNS.
cells). 3.) Microglia
-Act as immune cells of the CNS.
•Types based on structure: -Help protect the brain by removing
1.)Multipolar neurons bacteria and cell debris.
4.)Oligodendrocytes in the CNS and;
5.)Schwann cells in the PNS action potentials from one area of the
-Provide insulating material that CNS to another.
surrounds axons. -In PNS, forms nerves which is
consists of axons and associated
MYELIN SHEATS connective tissue.
• Specialized layers that wrap around
the axons (myelinated axons) of some ELECTRICAL SIGNALS AND
neurons. NEURAL PATHWAYS
• Formed by the cell processes of
oligodendrocytes in the CNS and •Resting membrane potential results
Schwann cells in the PNS. from the charge difference across the
•An excellent insulator that prevents membranes of cells.
almost all ion movement across the •Action potential occurs when the
cell membrane. charge across the cell membrane is
• Nodes of Ranvier briefly reversed.
-Gaps in the myelin sheath •A synapse is a point of contact
-Where ion movement occurs. between two neurons or between a
• Myelinated axons have increase neuron and another cell, such as a
speed and efficiency of action potential muscle or gland cell.
generation compared to unmyelinated. •Reflex arcs are the functional units of
the nervous system.
ORGANIZATION OF NERVOUS •Neuronal Pathways are either
TISSUE converging or diverging.
• Both CNS and PNS contain areas of
gray matter and areas of white matter. BRAINSTEM
• Gray Matter •Connects the spinal cord to the
-Consists of group of neuron cell remainder of the brain.
bodies and their dendrites, where there •Functions in controlling heart rate,
is very little myelin. blood pressure and breathing.
-Cortex – gray matter on the surface of •Components:
the brain (CNS). a.)Medullar Oblongata
-Nuclei – gray matter deeper within -Most inferior portion and is
the brain (CNS). continuous with the spinal cord.
-Ganglion – gray matter in the PNS -Functions in regulation of heart rate
and blood vessel diameter, breathing,
WHITE MATTER swallowing, vomiting, coughing,
sneezing, balance and coordination.
-Consists of bundles of parallel axons
with their myelin sheaths, which are • Pyramids
whitish in color. -Two prominent enlargements found
-In CNS, forms nerve tracts or on the anterior surface.
conduction pathways, which propagate -Consist of descending nerve tracts,
which transmit action potentials from e.)Diencephalon
the brain to motor neurons of the -The part of the brain between the
spinal cord and are involved in the brainstem and cerebrum.
conscious control of skeletal muscles. •Components:
b.)Pons a.) Thalamus
-Located superior to the medulla -Largest part which resembles a yo-yo
oblongata that resembles an arched with two large, lateral parts connected
(functional) footbridge between in the center by interthalamic
cerebrum and cerebellum. adhesion.
-Function in relaying information -Influences mood and registers an
between cerebrum and cerebellum, unlocalized, uncomfortable perception
breathing, swallowing, balance, of pain.
chewing and salivation. b.) Epithalamus
c.)Midbrain -Small area superior and posterior of
-Located superior to the pons. the thalamus.
-Smallest region of the brainstem. -Involved in the emotional and visceral
-Involved in coordinating eye response to odors.
movements and controlling pupil c.)Pineal gland
diameter and lens shape. -endocrine gland that may influence
•Colliculi the onset of puberty and play a role in
-Consist of four mounds found on the controlling some long-term cycles.
dorsal part. d.) Hypothalamus
•Two inferiors: -The most inferior part of the
-Major relay centers for auditory nerve diencephalon.
pathways in the CNS. -Controls body temperature, hunger,
•Two superiors: thirst and sensations such as sexual
-Involved in visual reflexes and pleasure, rage, fear, and relaxation
receive touch and auditory input. after meal.
-Involved in nervous perspiration in
response to stress or hunger as a result
of depression.
d.)Cerebellum -Play major role in controlling the
-Attached to the brainstem by several secretion of hormones from the
large connections (cerebellar pituitary gland.
peduncles) which provide routes of -Infundibulum-funnel shaped stalk
communication between the of CNS. extends from the floor of
Cerebellum and other part. hypothalamus to the pituitary gland
-Function as comparator (sensing) -Mamillary bodies-visible swellings on
which compares the data from two the posterior portion which are
source involved in emotional responses to
odors and in memory.
f.) Cerebrum
-Largest part of the brain.
-Longitudinal fissure – divides
cerebrum into left and right
hemispheres.
-Gyri (numerous folds) and Sulci
(intervening grooves) - most
conspicuous feature found on the
surface.
-Lobes:
•Frontal – control of voluntary motor
functions, motivation, aggression,
mood, and olfactory reception.
•Parietal – principal center of receiving
and perceiving sensory information
such as touch, pain, temperature and
balance.
•Central sulcus – separates frontal and
parietal lobes •Occipital – receives and
perceives visual input. •Temporal –
involved in olfactory and auditory
sensations, and memory
•Psychic cortex – its anterior and
inferior portions functions in abstract
thought and judgement.
• Lateral fissure – separates temporal
lobe from the rest of cerebrum.
• Insula – often referred as the fifth
lobe.