Introduction to the Nervous System

• The nervous system is the

major controlling, regulatory,
and communicating system in
the body.
• It is the center of all mental
activity including thought,
learning, and memory.
• Together with the endocrine
system, the nervous system is
responsible for regulating and
maintaining homeostasis.
• Through its receptors, the
nervous system keeps us in
touch with our environment,
both external and internal.
What does the nervous system do?

1. Thoughts, memory, learning and feelings.

2. Movements (balance and coordination).
3. Senses (how your brain interprets what
you see, hear, taste, touch and feel).
4. Wound healing.
5. Sleep.
6. Heartbeat and breathing patterns.
7. Response to stressful situations, including
sweat production.
8. Digestion.
9. Body processes, such as puberty and
aging.
 What is the
nervous
system?

The nervous system consists of two divisions: the

central nervous system containing the brain and
spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system
which is a network of nerves and neural tissues
branching out throughout the body.
 What are the parts of the nervous system?
The nervous system has two main parts:

1. Central nervous system (CNS): Your brain and spinal cord

make up your CNS. Your brain reads signals from your
nerves to regulate how you think, move and feel.
2. Peripheral nervous system (PNS): Your PNS is made up of
a network of nerves. The nerves branch out from your spinal
cord. This system relays information from your brain and
spinal cord to your organs, arms, legs, fingers and toes.

There are two parts to your peripheral nervous system:

1. The somatic nervous system guides your voluntary

movements.
2. The autonomic nervous system regulates the activities you
do without thinking about them (involuntary movements).
 Types of
neurons…
Neurons are the
nerve cells, the
structural and
functional units of
the nervous
system.
They conduct impulses that enable the body to
interact with its internal and external
environments. There are various types of neurons.
The tissues that support the nerve cells is called
neuroglia.
 Types of neurons…
The motor neurons usually
have one axon and several
dendrites. The axon is
covered with a insulating
fatty layer called a myelin
sheath, and transmits
signals a long distance
from the neuron to the
area to be activated.
Dendrites are short and
unsheathed.
Motor neurons cause muscle contractions and
control secretions from glands and organs…
controlling body functions.
 Types of neurons…
Sensory neurons do not have true dendrites. They
are attached to sensory receptors and transmit
impulses to the central nervous system, which then
stimulate the interneurons, and then motor neurons.
NERVE RECEPTORS

SENSORY NEURONS

INTERNEURONS

MOTOR NEURONS
Interneurons are located entirely within the central
nervous system. They intercept the impulses from
the sensory neurons and transmit the signals to
the motor neurons.
Sensory Neurons
Sensory neurons help us feel and
explore the world around us. Major
senses such as touch and pain can
help us to move safely through the
world.
Sensory neurons are critical for
informing our body about the
environment around us. They can
relay information on temperature
and teach us when to avoid a hot
item.
Sensory neurons can also support
complex movements like picking up
utensils.

The sensory neurons provide

feedback to our muscles and joints
to enable precise and carefully
choreographed movements.
 Motor Neurons
Motor neurons carry impulses away
from the central nervous system
(made up of the brain and spinal
cord), and control the movement of
the body.
These neurons coordinate our
muscles and ensure that our arms
and legs move together.

Motor neurons can be subdivided

into lower motor neurons and
upper motor neurons located in the
brain and spinal cord. The
differences between upper and lower
motor neurons involve the level of
control each exerts over functions of
the body.
 Interneurons
Interneurons are the most
abundant neurons in the body.
They act as signal controllers
within the body, relaying important
information from one end of the
nervous system to the other.

The interneurons sit in the

middle of other neurons, such as
motor or sensory neurons. They
are responsible for relaying
electrical signals.

Interneurons can also serve to

regulate the signals from neurons.
 Types of neurons based on structure include:
1. Unipolar neurons: These neurons have a single long axon
that is responsible for sending electrical signals. The axon in
unipolar neurons is myelinated, which allows for rapid signal
transmission.
2. Multipolar neurons: These neurons can receive impulses
from multiple neurons via dendrites. The dendrites transmit
the signals through the neuron via an electrical signal that is
spread down the axon.
3. Bipolar neurons: These neurons send signals and receive
information from the world. Examples include the neurons in
the eye that receive light and then transmit signals to the
brain.
4. Pseudo-unipolar neurons: These neurons relay signals
from the skin and muscles to the spinal cord. They are the
primary neurons responsible for coordinating the movement
of the arms and legs using input from the brain.
 Nerve fibers…
Schwann cells, only
found on peripheral
nerves which can
regenerate
Myelin sheath, a fatty
layer of insulation on The axon that transmits
some nerve fibers the message

There are no Schwann cells on nerve fibers in the

central nervous system, therefore damage to those
nerve fibers is not reversible. A bundle of nerve fibers is
simply called ‘a nerve’. AFFERENT nerves conduct
impulses to the central nervous system; EFFERENT
nerves conduct impulses to the muscles, organs, and
glands.
 Synapses…
Nerve impulses are transmitted via branches called
synapses. The synapses are connectors… hooking
dendrites and axons from one neuron to another.
• The number of
synapses
influences
transmission.
• That number can
decrease with
disease, lack of
stimulation, drug
use, etc.
Gray and white matter of the central
nervous system…
The brain and spinal cord
of the central nervous
system receive impulses,
process the information,
and respond with the
appropriate action.

Gray matter of the brain and spinal cord consists

of unsheathed nerve fibers (cannot be regenerated
if damaged) in the cortex or surface layer. The
white matter makes up the internal structure, and
consists of myelinated nerve fibers.
Brain and spinal cord meninges…
The brain and
spinal cord are
enclosed by 3
membranes,
collectively
known as the
meninges

the outside membrane is the dura mater

the middle membrane is the arachnoid the inside
membrane is the pia mater
Parts of the brain…the cerebrum
• Taking up 7/8ths of the
brain’s weight, the cerebrum
governs all sensory and
motor activity.
• This includes sensory
perception, emotions,
consciousness, memory,
and voluntary movements.

It is divided into the left and right hemispheres.

The surface or cortex is arranged in bulging folds,
each one called a gyrus and furrows, each one
called a sulcus.
Parts of the brain…the cerebrum
The cortex is also divided
into 4 lobes that
correspond to the overlying
bones of the skull:
• the frontal lobe specializes
in motor activity,
personality, and speech;
• the parietal lobe is where
language, temperature,
pressure, touch are
interpreted;
• the temporal lobe contains centers for hearing, smell, and
language input;
• the occipital lobe specializes in vision.
Parts of the brain…the cerebellum
The cerebellum is the
second largest part of
the brain. It contains
nerve fibers that
connect it to every part
of the central nervous
system. It coordinates
voluntary and
involuntary patterns of
movements. It also
adjusts muscles to
automatically maintain
posture.
 Parts of the brain… The diencephalon
the diencephalon refers to the thalamus
and hypothalamus.
The thalamus is the
relay center for all
sensory impulses
except olfactory (sense
of smell) and motor
areas of the cortex.

The hypothalamus regulates behavior and emotional

expression, body temperature, and many metabolic
activities. Attached to the pituitary gland, it also controls
hormonal secretions of this gland.
Parts of the brain… the brainstem
The brainstem consists of 3 structures: the gray
matter of the midbrain control visual reflexes and sense
of hearing. The white matter of the pons plays a role in
regulating visceral (internal organ) control.
The medulla
oblongata connects
the rest of the brain
to the spinal cord. It
regulates breathing,
swallowing,
coughing, sneezing,
vomiting, heartbeat,
and blood pressure.
The spinal cord…
The spinal cord has 31
segments:
• 8 cervical segments that
correspond to the C1-C8
vertebrae;
• 12 thoracic segments
corresponding to the T1-
T12 vertebrae;
• 5 lumbar segments The 44 cm long spinal
corresponding to L1-L5
cord is shorter than
vertebrae,
the spinal column, so
• 5 sacral segments
corresponding to S1-S5 segments do not
vertebrae, and 1 coccygeal perfectly correspond
segment. to the vertebrae.
The spinal cord…

At each segment of the spinal cord, left and right

pairs of sensory and motor nerves branch out and
connect to the peripheral nervous system.
Impulses travel back and forth to the brain and
back to the muscles.
 Cerebrospinal fluid…

A colorless fluid is produced in the ventricles of the

brain; it surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It is
called cerebrospinal fluid, and it cushions the brain
and cord from shocks that could cause injury. It is
maintained at a level around 1/2 - 2/3 cup.
Peripheral nervous system…
The network of nerves
branching out
throughout the body
from the brain and
spinal cord is called the
peripheral nervous
system. In addition to
the 31 pairs of spinal
nerves mentioned in the
slides on the spinal
cord, there are 12 pairs
I. The olfactory nerve
of cranial nerves that
carries sensory input
attach to the brain:
for smell
Peripheral nervous system…
II. The optic nerve
carries sensory input
for vision
III. The oculomotor nerve
controls muscles of
the eye and eyelid
IV. The trochlear nerve
controls the eyeball
V. The trigeminal nerve
controls the face,
nose, mouth, VI. The abducens
forehead, top of head, nerve also controls
and jaw. the eyeball
Peripheral nervous system…
VII. The facial nerve
controls muscles
of the face and
scalp, and part of
the tongue for
sense of taste.
VIII. The auditory or
cochlear nerve
provides sensory
input for hearing and equilibrium.
IX. The glossopharyngeal
nerve controls saliva, swallowing, and taste.
Peripheral nervous system…
X. The vagus nerve is the
longest cranial nerve,
extending to and
controlling the heart,
lungs, stomach, and
intestines.
XI. The accessory nerve
permits movement of the
head and shoulders.
XII. The hypoglassal nerve
controls the muscles of
the tongue.
Autonomic nervous system…
The autonomic
nervous system is a
part of the peripheral
nervous system.. it
controls the
involuntary bodily
functions such as
sweating, gland
secretions, blood
pressure, and the
heart. It is divided into
the ‘sympathetic’ and
‘parasympathetic’
divisions.
Autonomic nervous system…
The sympathetic
nervous system is
responsible for the ‘flight
or fight’ responses…
increased alertness,
metabolic rate,
respiration, blood
pressure, heart rate, and
sweating AND
decrease in digestive and urinary function. The
parasympathetic nervous system counteracts the
responses of the sympathetic system… restoring
homeostasis.
What are common conditions or disorders that
affect the nervous system?

1. Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Cancer.
3. Cerebral palsy.
4. Epilepsy.
5. Huntington’s disease.
6. Infection (meningitis).
7. Parkinson’s disease.
8. Stroke.
9. Traumatic brain injury.