DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

BAYERO UNIVERSITY KANO

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

BY

DR. MUAZU T. A.
(LECTURER)

TITLE: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF FARM ANIMALS

COURSE CODE: ANS 2301

SEPTEMBER, 2023

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 THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

The nervous system is the part of an animal's body that coordinates its behavior and transmits

signals between different body areas. In vertebrates it consists of two main parts, called the

central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Central Nervous System (CNS)

consists of the brain and the spinal cord. It can be compared to the central processing unit of a

computer. It receives and sorts out information coming from the environment and from inside the

body and determines the appropriate action.

The Brain: this is divided into forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain

The forebrain plays a central role in the processing of information related to complex cognitive

activities, sensory and associative functions, and voluntary motor activities. It represents one of

the three major developmental divisions of the brain; the other two are the midbrain and

hindbrain.

The structures in the forebrain include the cerebrum, thalamus, hypothalamus, pituitary

gland, limbic system, and the olfactory bulb.

The forebrain performs the following functions: It is responsible for intelligence, memory,

consciousness, willpower and voluntary actions. It has the centres for visual reception, hearing

reception, touch, smell and temperature reception.

Midbrain (mesencephalon), region of the developing vertebrate brain that is composed of the

tectum and tegmentum. The midbrain serves important functions in motor movement,

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particularly movements of the eye, and in auditory and visual processing. It associated with

vision, hearing, motor control, sleep and wakefulness, arousal (alertness), and temperature

regulation. The principal regions of the midbrain are the tectum, the cerebral aqueduct,

tegmentum, and the cerebral peduncles.

Hindbrain (rhombencephalon) region of the developing vertebrate brain that is composed of

the medulla oblongata, the pons, and the cerebellum. The hindbrain coordinates functions that

are fundamental to survival, including respiratory rhythm, motor activity, sleep, and wakefulness

Classification of Cranial Nerves

CN I: Olfactory Nerve, CN II: Optic Nerve, CN III: Oculomotor Nerve

CN IV: Trochlear Nerve, CN V: Trigeminal Nerve, CN VI: Abducens Nerve

CN VII: Facial Nerve, CN VIII: Vestibulocochlear Nerve, CN IX: Glossopharyngeal Nerve

CN X: Vagus Nerve, CN XI: Accessory Nerve, CN XII: Hypoglossal Nerve

Spinal Cord: Is a part of the central nervous system. It begins at the base of the skull and

extends throughout most of the vertebral column (backbone). The spinal cord is a long bundle of

nerves and cells that extends from the lower portion of the brain to the lower back. It carries

signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

Gray matter: contains the cell bodies of motor and connector neurons. The axons of sensory

neurons, whose cell bodies are outside the spinal cord, also enter the gray matter.

White matter: contains axons of neurons that run lengthwise through the spinal cord

Meninges: spinal cord is surrounded by membranes called meninges.

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Spinal nerve roots: Coming out of the spinal cord on both sides and at regular intervals branch

out to reach different parts of the body.

Vertebral column Segments in Different Animal Species

Species Cervical Thoracic Lumbar Sacrum Coccygeal Total

Bovine C8 T13 L6 S5 Co5 37
Sheep C7 T13 L6 S4 Co5 36
Goat C7 T13 L6 S4 Co5 36
Camel C7 T12 L7 S5 Co15-20 46-51
Horses C8 T18 L6 S5 Co15-21 52-57
Swine C8 T15/14 L6/7 S4 Co5 38
Dog C8 T13 L7 S3 Co5 36
Cat C8 T13 L7 S3 Co5 36

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 Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is one of two components that make up the nervous system

of bilateral animals. The PNS consists of the nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal

cord. The main function of the PNS is to connect the CNS to the limbs and organs, essentially

serving as a relay between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body. Unlike the CNS, the

PNS is not protected by the vertebral column and skull, or by the blood–brain barrier, which

leaves it exposed to toxins and mechanical injuries. There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves arising

from the brain and varied pairs of spinal nerves arising from the spinal cord. It is through this

nerve cells that communicate between the central nervous system and the body tissues take

place.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): has two divisions—the somatic (voluntary) and autonomic

(involuntary) divisions.

Somatic division: Communicates with the skin and skeletal muscles. In the somatic nervous

system, the cranial nerves are part of the PNS with the exception of the optic nerve (cranial nerve

II), along with the retina. The second cranial nerve is not a true peripheral nerve but a tract of the

diencephalon.

Autonomic division: Communicates with smooth muscles, heart muscles and glands. The

autonomic nervous system exerts involuntary control over smooth muscle and glands. The

connection between CNS and organs allows the system to be in two different functional states:

sympathetic and parasympathetic.

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Autonomic division: There are two groups of nerves (sympathetic nerves, parasympathetic

nerves). The enteric nervous system is also involuntary (control the gastrointestinal system).

Sympathetic Nerves: which speed up or slow down some body processes. The sympathetic

nervous system tells the body to get ready for physical and mental activity. It causes the heart to

beat harder and faster and opens the airways for easy breathing. It also temporarily stops

digestion so the body can focus on fast action.

Parasympathetic Nerves: Have opposite effect on the same body processes. The

parasympathetic nervous system controls bodily functions when a person is at rest. Some of its

activities include stimulating digestion, activating metabolism, and helping the body relax.

Functions of Nervous System

 Reception of general sensory information (touch, pressure, temperature, pain, vibration)

 Receiving and perceiving special sensations (taste, smell, vision, sounds)

 Integration of sensory information from different parts of the body and processing them.

 Response generation.

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 Definition of Terms

Neuron (Nerve cell)

Is the basic structural and functional unit of the nervous system. It carries information from one
place in the body to another. There are billions of it throughout the body.

Parts of a Neuron: the cell body, the dendrites and the axon

Cell body: largest part of a typical neuron

Axon (nerve fiber: Is a tube-like extension of the cell body. It conducts messages away from the
cell body.

Dendrites: Receives messages from the environment and conduct them to the cell body.

Types of neurons based on functions: Sensory, Motor, and Interneuron

Sensory neurons: connect the sense organs to the central nervous system. The information that
the sense organs get from the environment reaches the brain through the sensory neurons.
Sensory neurons deliver electrical signals from the outer parts of the body (the glands, muscles,
and skin) into the CNS.

Motor neurons: carry messages from the central nervous system to muscles and glands
throughout the body

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Interneuron or associative neurons: carry information between two neurons (sensory and
motor).

Types of neurons based on number of Processes:

A unipolar neuron is a neuron in which only one process, called a neurite, extends from the cell

body. The neurite then branches to form dendritic and axonal processes. Most neurons in the

central nervous systems of invertebrates, including insects, are unipolar. Unipolar neurons are

typically sensory neurons with receptors located within the skin, joints, muscles, and

internal organs.

Bipolar neuron: A neuron with only two extensions (an axon and a dendrite) that run from

opposite sides of the cell body. Cells of this type are found primarily in the retina. Bipolar

neurons are relatively rare. They are sensory neurons found in olfactory epithelium, the retina of

the eye, and ganglia of the vestibulocochlear nerve.

Multipolar neuron is a type of neuron that possesses a single axon and many dendrites (and

dendritic branches), allowing for the integration of a great deal of information from other

neurons. These processes are projections from the neuron cell body. Multipolar neurons

constitute the majority of neurons in the central nervous system. They include motor neurons and

interneurons/relaying neurons are most commonly found in the cortex of the brain and the spinal

cord. Peripherally, multipolar neurons are found in autonomic ganglia.

Pseudounipolar neuron is a type of neuron which has one extension from its cell body. This

type of neuron contains an axon that has split into two branches; one branch travels to the

peripheral nervous system and the other to the central nervous system. All pseudounipolar

neurons are sensory neurons. The ones found in the dorsal root ganglia, and majority of those in

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cranial nerve sensory ganglia carry information about touch, vibration, proprioception, pain and

temperature.

N.B 1= unipolar neuron, 2= bipolar neuron, 3= multipolar neuron, 4= pseudounipolar neuron

Synapse: In the central nervous system, a synapse is a small gap at the end of a neuron that

allows a signal to pass from one neuron to the next. Synapses are found where nerve cells

connect with other nerve cells. Synapses are key to the brain's function, especially when it comes

to memory.

Types of Synapse

Axoaxonic synapses

Axosomatic synapses

Axodendritic synapses

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Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the body. Their job is to transmit signals from

nerve cells to target cells. These target cells may be in muscles, glands, or other nerves. The

brain needs neurotransmitters to regulate many necessary functions, including: heart rate.

Nerve Impulse: Is a small electrical charge

Ganglion is a collection of nerve cell bodies found in the voluntary and autonomic branches of

the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Ganglia can be thought of as synaptic relay stations

between neurons. The information enters the ganglia, excites the neuron in the ganglia and then

exits.

Glial cells (neuroglia): They are cell which are non-neuronal and are located within the central

nervous system and the peripheral nervous system that provides physical and metabolic support

to neurons, including neuronal insulation and communication, and nutrient and waste transport.

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Types of Glial cells

Astrocyte (CNS): Structural and supporting; communicates between the nervous system and

blood

Oligodendrocytes (CNS): Myelination of axons in the CNS

Microglial Cells (CNS): transform into phagocytes-clean up nervous system debris

Ependymal Cells (CNS): secrete and move CSF throughout the cavities of the CNS

Satellite (PNS): Structural support and communication

Schwann (PNS): Myelination of axons in the PNS

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