Anatomy

5.7a

January 17, 2012

Dr. Esguerra

The Central Nervous System

OUTLINE
I. Introduction and Organization of the CNS
A. Type of Cells
B. Anatomical Division
C. Ascending and Descending Tracts
II. Central Nervous System
A. Cerebrum
B. Cerebellum
C. Brainstem
D. Midbrain
E. Hindbrain
F. Spinal Cord
G. Spinal Nerves

Objectives:
Enumerating the general characteristics and functions of nervous tissue
Classify neurons
Identify areas of the nervous system where the different type of neurons are located
Identifying the neuroglia
Naming principal divisions of the Nervous System
Identifying the component parts of the CNS, ANS and PNS
Enumerating subdivisions of the brain
Identify lobes of the brain and the major sulci that form the boundaries
Describe the composition of gray and white matter
Enumerating in successive order the parts of brainstem
Identifying important landmarks on the anterior and posterior aspects of the
brainstem, especially the cranial nerves
Stating the functions and divisions of the ANS
Describing the origin and general distribution of each of the principal division of the
ANS
Differentiating the principal divisions of the ANS and their systemic effects
Identifying the neurotransmitters involved in the ANS

I. INTRODUCTION AND ORGANIZATION OF THE CNS

A. Type of Cells
Neuron
-are excitable cells that are specialized for the reception of
stimuli and the conduction of the nerve impulse.
-From the tip of dendrite all the way to the end of the axon.
o Axons- carry impulses away (except in pseudo-unipolar
neurons where there is no dendrite, only an axon with two
processes).
o Dendrites- carry impulses towards the body.
o Synapses- sites of communication between neurons.
o Myelin sheath- a particular feature of the axon, which is a
glycoprotein that covers the nerve cell. It increases axonal
conduction velocity of nerves.
CNS- oligodendrocytes
PNS- Schwann cells
*normal neurons in the mature individual do not undergo division
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and replication.(Snell, 7 Ed. 2010)

Neuroglial cells
-varieties of nonexcitable cells which supports the neurons of
CNS.
-Supporting cells, protect neurons and participate in neural
activity, neural nutrition, and defense of cells in the CNS
o 4 Types:
Microglia
-derived from monocyte phagocyte system.
-the smallest of the neuroglial cells
-More evenly distributed in the gray and white matter
-Constitute major defense mechanism in CNS tissues

Astrocytes
-are of two types: fibrous and protoplasmic.
-may serve as phagocytes by taking up degenerating
synaptic axon terminals.
Oligodendrocytes
-responsible for the formation of the myelin sheath of
nerve fibers in the CNS.
Ependyma
-assist in the circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid within
the cavities of the brain and the central canal of the spinal
cord by the movements of the cilia.

B. Anatomical Division
Central Nervous System
-Consist of brain and spinal cord.
-Both the brain and spinal cord are covered with a system of
membranes, called meninges, and are suspended in the
cerebrospinal fluid.
-Function: integrate information that passes through it and from
the PNS.
Peripheral Nervous System
-conduct information to and from the central nervous system.
-surrounded by fibrous sheaths as they run to different parts of
the body
-are relatively unprotected and are commonly damaged by
trauma.
-Made up of nerves that comes out of it;
o Brain cranial nerves (12 pairs)
o Spinal cord- spinal nerves (31 pairs)
8 cervical
12 thoracic
5 lumbar
5 sacral
1 coccygeal
o Ganglia- both from brain and spinal cord.
Sympathetic ganglia
Paravertebral ganglia
Ganglia on the walls of GI tract
Note: Spinal nerves are made up of ventral and dorsal roots that
came out from spinal cord and exits through intervertebral foramina.
Cervical nerves are named after the vertebra below it. Since there is
no C8 vertebra, the nerve above T1 vertebra is called C8. After that,
the cranial nerves are named on the vertebra above it.
Collection of nerve cell bodies:
Nuclei- within the CNS.
Ganglia- within the PNS.
Bundles of nerve fibers with common origin and termination:
Tract/Fascicle- CNS
Peripheral nerve- PNS

Autonomic Nervous System
-Components arising from both central and peripheral NS
-Involved with regulation of Internal Environment outside
conscious control
-Comprised of two divisions: Sympathetic and Parasympathetic

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o White VS. Grey Matter

-white myelinated axons: tracts, peduncles, brachia (arm-
like projection), lemnisci, fasciculi, funiculi
-grey nerve cell bodies (unmyelinated): nuclei(middle),
cortex(periphery), basal ganglia(important for motor
coordination)

II. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Brain (3 Divisions)
o Forebrain
Cerebrum
Diencephalon made up of thalamus and hypothalamus,
mammary bodies and epithalamus
o Midbrain- middle part that connects the forebrain to the
hindbrain
o Hindbrain
Pons

Note: Peduncles are connection between two areas on the CNS.
Ex. Cerebral peduncle - connects the brain stem to the cerebrum;
Three cerebellar peduncles - connects the brain stem into the
cerebellum.
Lemnisci are ribbon-like or band of nerve fibers, usually used for
tracts that transmit sensory impulses from the spinal cord towards
the cerebrum or within the brain stem to the cerebrum.
Funiculi are organizations within the spinal cord that groups
together these tracts.
No cortex in the Spinal cord, the grey matter is all central. Two
divisions of Nuclei are found within it. The Dorsal horn which is
found on the posterior part and the Ventral horn that is on the
anterior part.

o part of the brainstem between the midbrain rostrally

and the medulla oblongata caudally
o anterior part of the posterior cranial fossa
o associated with CN V

Cerebellum

o Large brain mass posterior to pons and medulla

o W 2 lateral hemispheres united by vermis

Medulla oblongata

o Most caudal subdivision of brainstem w/c is

continuous with the spinal cord
o Lies in the post cranial fossa
o Associated with CN IX, X , XII

C. Ascending and Descending Tracts

Ascending Tract
-Stimulus comes from the periphery to the spinal cord or
brainstem going to the cerebrum or cortex
-Usually sensory
-Ex. Anterior Spinal thalamic tract
Descending Tract
-Impulse comes from the CNS going to the spinal cord and exit to
other tissues, ex. Skeletal muscle
-Ex. Lateral CorticoSpinal Tract
-Nomencalture: 1st term origin; 2nd term- termination
o Spinalthalamic tract impulse comes from the spinal
cord and terminates in to the thalamus
o Corticospinal tract from cortex to spinal cord

Figure 1.
(a) Simplest form of the ascending sensory pathway from the sensory nerve
ending to the cerebral cortex.
(b)Simple form of the descending motor pathway from the cerebral cortex
to the skeletal muscle.

Note: In development, the pons and cerebellum are called the

Metencephalon, the medulla the Myelencephalon and the
cerebrum is known as the telencephalon.

A. CEREBRUM

6 lobes:
o Seen on the lateral aspect:
Frontal
Parietal
Temporal
Occipital
o Synthetic lobes:
Central (insular lobe/island of Reil)
Seen when the lips of the lateral sylvian fissure are
separated(frontal opercular, parietal opercular and
temporal opercular)
Roundish part of the brain
More important in lower life forms
Limbic
Related to singulate gyrus, parahypocampal gyrus,
isthmus, hippocampus and dentate gyrus
Sulci
o Central sulcus
-border between frontal and parietal lobe
-Also called the Rolandic sulcus or sulcus of Rolando
o ParietoOccipital Sulcus
-Marks the separation of the parietal lobe with the occipital
lobe
o Pre central sulcus
-Anterior to pre- central gyrus
o Post central Sulcus
-Posterior to post-central gyrus
Fissure
o Lateral Sylvian/Lateral longitudinal fissure
-separates the temporal from frontal and part of the parietal
lobe
o Interhemispheric sagittal fissure
- median fissure dividing the two hemispheres
o Calcarine Sulcus associated with the occipital lobe

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 Gyrus: In between two sulci:

o Pre-central gyrus
-Anterior to Rolandic Sulcus
-Primary motor cortex
o Post-central gyrus
-Posterior to Rolandic Sulcus
-Primary somatosensory cortex

Note:
Primary visual cortex area around calcarine fissure
Brodmann area been correlated closely to diverse cortical functions
Corpus Callosum
-Represents axons connecting the two hemispheres
-Parts: Rostrum, Genu, Body, Splenium (from front-back)

Figure 2. Illustration of a brain presenting the different lobes, sulcus and

gyrus on a typical human brain.

Figure 3. Brain Homunculus.

B. CEREBELLUM
Gyri = folia
Anatomical features
o Anterior and posterior lobes
o Flocculonodular lobe
o Vermis
o Hemspheres (right and left)
Cerebellar cortex
Deep cerebellar nuclei

C. BRAINSTEM
Serves as conduit for ascending and descending tracts
Contains important reflex controls (respiratory, cvs,
consciousness)
Contains cn iii xii nuclei
PARTS OF THE BRAINSTEM
Midbrain
Pons
Medulla oblongata
Note: pons + medulla = bulbar region
BRAINSTEM: DORSAL VIEW
4 MAJOR LANDMARKS
a) DORSAL COLUMNS (Fasciculus-bundle)
o Fasciculus Gracilis (2) - medial
o Fasciculus CUNEATUS (2) - lateral
b) DORSAL COLUMN TUBERCLES (tuberculus- prominence)
represents internal location of nucleus of f. Gracilis and f.
cuneatus
o CLAVA/ T. Gracilis
o T. CUNEATUS
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c) 4 VENTRICLE
- Between brain stem and cerebellum
- filled with cerebrospinal fluid
- floor: rhomboid fossa
d) 4 COLLICULI above rhomboid fossa
o SUPERIOR- important for vision and hearing
o INFERIOR- sound processing
Note: Rhomboid fossa- seen when the cerebellum is removed.
CEREBELLAR PEDUNCLES
-connect brainstem to cerebellum
-superior (brachium conjunctivum), middle (brachium pontis),
inferior (restiform body and juxtarestiform body)
ORIGIN CN IV (trochlear nerve) only CN that comes off the
dorsal aspect of brainstem
MEDULLARY Velum (superior and inferior) not part of
cerebellum in area of the rhomboid fossa
th
o closes off 4 ventricle
MEDIAL EMNENCE- column on either side from midline of
rhomboid fossa.
o Represents the fiber tract
FACIAL COLLICULUS- prominence on the most caudal end
SULCUS LIMITANS- groove on the lateral aspect of medial
eminence and facial colliculus
STRIAE MEDULLARES- extends from the midline towards the
lateral recesses on corners of rhomboid fossa
LATERAL RECESSES
-FORAMEN OF LUSCHKA- hole where the cerebrospinal fluid from
th
4 ventricle exits
TRIGONES (4) prominence below striae medullares
-HYPOGLOSSAL (medially located)
-VAGAL (laterally located)

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th

OBEX(funnel-shaped area, most inferior part of 4 ventricle)

-FORAMEN OF MAGENDIE hole where cerebrospinal fluid exits
th
from 4 ventricle to cisterna magna

BRAINSTEM: VENTRAL VIEW
FOUR MAJOR LANDMARKS
-PYRAMIDS (most medial)
-OLIVES (lateral)
-BASE OF PONS (basis pontis)
-CEREBRAL PEDUNCLES (basis pedunculi)
ORIGINS OF CN III XII (EXCEPT IV)
Note: pyramidal decussation- where fibers crossed the midline
BRAINSTEM: BLOOD SUPPLY
Posterior cerebral artery
Basilar artery
Superior cerebellar artery
Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (aica)
Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (pca)
Vertebral artery

D. MIDBRAIN
ROSTRAL MIDBRAIN
(Compare to a short pants)
3 regions
1. Tectum roof
2. Tegmentum cover
3. Basis pedunculi base stalk -- 2-3 cerebral peduncle-made up
of the base stalk and the tegmentum
Superiorcolliculus
Cerebral aqueduct (of sylvius)
Peraqueductal grey matter- area around the cerebral aqueduct
Occulomotor nucleus - for cn iii
Edinglewestphan nucleus for cn iii
Medial longitudinal fascicullus - located usually on the medial
aspect of brainstem
Pyramidal tract- made up of fibers for corticospinal and
corticobulbar tract
Substancia nigra
Red nucleus
Medial lemniscus- important for sensory transmission from the
spinal cord to the thalamus

CAUDAL MIDBRAIN (Darth vader)
Inferior colliculus
Cerebral aqueduct (of sylvius)
Periaqueductal grey matter
Mesenphalic (midbrain) nucleus of cn v
Motor nucleus of cn iv
Sup. Cerebellar peduncle decussation
Pyramidal (corticospinal and corticobulbar) tract
Substancia nigra
Medial lemniscus

Figure 4. The midbrain. A: Anterior View B: Lateral View

E. HINDBRAIN
A) PONS
ROSTRAL PONS (princess leia)
th
4 ventricle
Roof: cerebellum
Floor: pontine tegmentum
Sup. Medullary velum
Sup. And middle cerebellar peduncle- connect pons to the
cerebellum
Middle longitudinal fasciculus
Pontine reticular formation
Motor and sensory nuclei of cn v -> cn v fibres
Sup. Vestibular nucleus- important for cn viii
Medial, spinal and lat. Lemnisci
Note: medial and spinal for somatic sensation and lateral for
vestibular inputs.
Basis pontis
Pyramidal (corticospinal and corticocbulbar) tract
Pontine nuclei
Pontocerebellar fibres
CAUDAL PONS (ship)
Facial colliculus (centrally located)
Motor nuclei of cn vi and vii
Medial longitudinal fasciculus
tectospinal tract
vestibular nuclei
spinal nucleus of cn v- spans the pons, medulla, and upper spinal
tract. Also has inputs from cn vii, ix, and x.
medial lemniscus
trigeminothalamic tract
spinal lemniscus
lateral lemniscus
pontine nuclei
pyramidal (corticospinal and corticocerebular) tract
middle cerebellar peduncle

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B) MEDULLA OBLONGATA
ROSTRAL MEDULLA (shirt and tie)
th
4 ventricle
hypoglossal nucleus of cn xii
medial longitudinal fasciculus
tectospinal tract
medial lemnisci
pyramidal tract
dorsal motor nucleus of cn x
solitary nucleus
vestibular nuclei
solitary tract
spinal nucleus and tract of cn v
reticular formation- located in the tegmentum part
nucleus umbiguus- important for cn ix and x
spinocerebellar and rubrospinal tracts
spinal lemniscus
Olivary Nucleus (inferior, dorsal and medial) - important for
balance with association on cerebellum
Note: Sulcus medial to olivare nucleus is the pre olivare sulcus. It is
where the CN XII exits.
Rostral Medulla is called the open medulla because of the presence
th
of the 4 ventricle.

MIDDLE MEDULLA (butterfly)
Closed Medulla
dorsal motor nucleus of cn x
hypoglossal nucleus
nucleus and fasciculus gracus
nucleaus and fascicullus cuneatus
lat. (accessory) cuneate nucleusinternal arcuate fibres (sensory
decussation)
internal arcuate fibers (sensory decussation)
reticular formation
nucleus ambiguus
spiral nucleus and tract of cn v
rubrospinal tract
spinal lemniscus

CAUDAL MEDULLA (yoda)
pyramidal (motor) decussation- crossing of fibers of pyramidal
tract
medial longitudinal fascicullus
tectospinal tract
accessory nucleus of cn xi and fibres of the pyramidal tract
Nucleus Gracilis and Nucleus Cuneatus
Fasciculus gracilis and cuneatus
Lateral Accessory Cuneat Nucleus- important for cerebellar
(motor) function for the upper limbs
Internal Arcuate Fibers
Nuclear decussation from N. Gracilis and N. Cuneatus
spinal nucleus and tract of cn v
rubrospinal tract
ant. post spinocerebellar tracts
ant. lat. spinothalamic tracts
sympathetic tract

RETICULAR FORMATION Net like
Located on the tegmental part of brainstem
Part of primitive brain
Composed of loosely defined nuclei and tracts
Extends from midbrain -> medulla
Input from and output to virtually all parts of CNS

RETICULAR FORMATION NUCLEI

PRECEREBELLAR NUCLEI - responsible for response to movement
RAPHE NUCLEI
LAT. NUCLEI - receptive role
CENTRAL NUCLEI
CATHECOLAMINE NUCLEI
o LOCUS CERULEUS- secretes norepinephrine to modulate
responses
o SUBSTANTIA NIGRA- regulation of movement
RETICULAR FORMATION FUNCTIONS
CONTROL OF MOVEMENT - because of the connection of the
spinal cord to the cerebellum
Modulation of pain information
AUTONOMIC REFLEX CIRCUIT (respiratory and cardiovascular
reflex)
AROUSAL AND CONSCIOUSNESS- rostral nuclei (ARAS)

F. SPINAL CORD

major reflex center and conduction pathway between

the body and the brain
EXTERNAL FEATURES
Elongated cylindrical structure in vertebral canal
35 to 40 cm long
Extends from foramen magnum (continuous with medulla) to the
lower border of L1 vertebra
2 enlargements: cervical and lumbar

o Cervical - extends from the C4 through T1 segments of

the spinal cord; where brachial plexus arises
o Lumbosacral - extends from T11 through S1

segments of the spinal cord ; where lumbar and

sacral plexus arise
CONUS MEDULLARES- conical termination of spinal cord
FILLUM TERMINALE - conn. tissue cont. of pia matter penetrate
dura matter at s1-s2 coccygeal ligament
CAUDA EQUINA: formation of spinal n. roots descending from
conus
INTRADURAL SPACE - between pia matter and dura matter
31 pairs of spinal nerves (dorsal and ventral roots)
Segments
o 8 cervical
o 12 thoracic
o 5 lumbar
o 5 sacral
o 1 coccygeal
DEVT CHANGES
Occupies only 2/3 of adult vertebral canal
rd
3 month of fetal life- rate of vertebral column growth greater
than spinal cord
At birth: L2-L3 intervertebral disc
Adult: L1-L2 intervertebral disc

G. SPINAL NERVES
C1 spinal nerve exits b/w the atlas and occipital bone
C8 emerges b/w C7 and T1 vertebrae
All other spinal nerves emerges from intervertebral foramina
below vertebral column of same number
Lumbar and sacral nerve roots descend within lumbar cistern
before reaching the respective intervertebral foramina and form
cauda equina

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o INTERMEDIATE GREY ZONE

LAMINA VII
- Nucleus Dorsalis- cerebral proprioception
- Intermedial lateral Nucleus
o T1-L2/L3 (lateral horn) preganglionic symph. fibers
o S2-S4 (no lateral horn) preganglionic parasymph. fibers
- Intermediomedial aspect- visceral afferent (input from gut,
heart, lungs)
LAMINA X- grey matter surrounding the central canal. With
visceral afferents
o VENTRAL HORN
LAMINA VIII- contains motor interneuron coming from the
cortex
o Receives some descending tract fibers
o Sends commissural axons to the opposite side
LAMINA IX- contains the main motor neurons
- Alpha motor neuron- striated muscle
- Gamma motor neurons- intrafusal fibers for muscle
spindles
- Medial nuclear grp long and short axial ms.
- Lateral nuclear grp remaining musculature

WHITE MATTER -- divided into areas called folliculi

Ventral/anterior median fissure- divides anterior folliculus
into right and left
Ventrolateral/anterolateral sulcus- where ventral rootlets
come out. Ventral rootlets are roots coming form the
ventral horn.
- Separates the anterior folliculus to lateral folliculus
Dorsolateral/posterolateral sulcus- where posterior/dorsal
root fibers enter the spinal cord.
- Separates lateral folliculus to posterior folliculus
Dorsal/posterior median sulcus- divides posterior
funniculus into right and left
Dorsal intermediate sulcus- divides dorsal folliculus into
two; F. Gracilis (medial) and F. Cuneatus (lateral)
- Only present in the cervical and upper thoracic because
of the inputs from the upper limbs. In the lower portion,
only one column which is the F. Gracilis.

Figure 5. Transverse section of the medulla spinalis in the mid-

thoracic region

GREY MATTER
centrally located
there are two enlargements on the sides: Poserior/dorsal horn
and the Anterior/ventral horn
a lateral horn is also found in the thoracic and upper lumbar level
related to preganglionic neurons in autonomic NS
o DORSAL HORN
LAMINA I & II- high concentrations of substance P and opiate
receptors (important role in pain transmission)
LAMINA II & III (known as Substantia Gelatinosa)-
transmission of pain
LAMINA IV- low intensity stimuli
LAMINAVI- present only in cord enlargement because it
receives input from limbs

Figure 6. Transverse section of the cord. Seen is the central canal
around which is the H-shaped grey matter, surrounded in turn by
the white matter which contains the long ascending and descending
tracts.

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