Unit 2 Lesson 4 Student Notes for Reading Activity Introduction to the Peripheral Nervous System A.

. Peripheral Nervous System 1. Definition-that portion of the nervous system outside the central nervous system. 2. Function-conveys impulses to and from the brain and spinal cords. 3. Nerves a. Cranial-nerves of the peripheral nervous system that arise from the brain. (12 pairs) b. Spinal-nerves of the peripheral nervous system that arise from the spinal cord. (31 pairs) B. Cranial Nerves 1. Definition-12 pairs of peripheral nerves that arise from the brain. (2 pairs arise from the forebrain and 10 from the midbrain and brain stem) 2. Function-some are associated with special senses and consist of sensory neurons only. 1. Olfactory-cranial nerves that relay sensory impulses of smell from the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity. Composed of bipolar neurons that function as chemoreceptors, which respond to volatile chemical particles that are breathed into the nasal cavity. Olfactory bulb-synapses are made here. Olfactory tract-sensory impulses travel through here to the primary olfactory are in the cerebral cortex. 2. Optic-sensory nerve; conducts impulses from the photoreceptors in the retina of the eye; each is composed of about 125 million nerve fibers. Optic chiasma-the two optic nerves unite on the floor of the diencephalon to form this. Optic nerve fibers pass posteriorly from the optic chiasma to the thalamus via the optic tract. Synapses within the thalamic nuclei permit impulses to pass through neurons to the visual cortex within the occipital lobes. 3. Oculomotor-produce certain extrinsic and intrinsic movements of the eyeball; primarily a motor nerve that arises from nuclei

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within the midbrain; divides into superior and inferior branches as it passes through the superior orbital fissure in the orbit. Trochlear-very small mixed nerve that emerges from a nucleus within the midbrain and passes from the cranium through the superior orbital fissure of the orbit; innervates the superior oblique muscle of the eyeball with both motor and sensory fibers; motor impulses to the superior oblique cause the eyeball to rotate downward and away from the midline; sensory impulses originate in proprioceptors of the superior oblique muscle and provide information about its position and activity. Trigeminal-a mixed nerve with motor functions originating from the nuclei within the pons and sensory functions terminating in nuclei within the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata; two roots emerge from the anterolateral side of the pons; larger sensory root enlarges into a swelling called the trigeminal ganglion; three large nerves arise from the trigeminal ganglion, the ophthalmic nerve, the maxillary nerve, and the mandibular nerve; the smaller root consists of motor fibers of the trigeminal nerve that accompany the mandibular nerve through the foramen ovale and innervate the muscles of mastication and certain muscles in the floor of the mouth; impulses through the motor portion of the mandibular nerve of the trigeminal ganglion stimulate contraction of the muscles of mastication, including the medial and lateral pterygoids, masseter, temporalis, mylohyoid, and the anterior belly of the digastric muscle. Abducens-originates from a nucleus within the pons and emerges from the lower portion of the pons and the anterior border of the medulla oblongata; is a mixed nerve that traverse the superior orbital fissure of the orcit to innervate the lateral rectus eye muscle. Facial-arises from nuclei within the lower portion of the pons; traverses the petrous part of the temporal bone and emerges on the side of the face near the parotid gland; is a mixed nerve. Vestibulocochlear-referred to as the auditory, acoustic, or statoacoustic nerve; the only cranial nerve that doesnt exit the cranium through a foramen; composed of two nerves that arise within the inner ear; arises from the vestibular organs associated with equilibrium and balance Glassopharyngeal-a mixed nerve that innervates part of the tongue and pharynx; the motor fibers of this nerve originate in a nucleus within the medulla oblongata and pass through the jugular foramen; the motor fibers innervate the muscles of the

pharynx and the parotid gland to stimulate the swallowing reflex and the secretion of saliva. 10. Vegus-has motor and sensory fibers that innervate visceral organs of the thoracic and abdominal cavities; the motor portion arises from the nucleus ambiguous and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus within the medulla oblongata and passes through the jugular foramen. 11. Accessory-principally a motor nerve, but it does contain some sensory fibers from proprioceptors within the muscles it innervates; is unique in that it arises from both the brain and spinal cord. 12. Hypoglossal-is a mixed nerve; the motor fibers arise from the hypoglossal nucleus within the medulla oblongata and pass through the hypoglossal canal of the skull to innervate both the extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of the tongue. C. Spinal Nerves 1. Definition-leave the spinal cord and vertebral canal through intervertebral foramina, with the exception of the first cervical nerve; 31 pairs; grouped into 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 1 coccygeal. 2. Function-convey sensory impulses through the posterior root into the spinal cord, where synapses occur with dendrites of other neurons; convey motor impulses away from the CNS. D. Reflex Arc and Reflexes 1. Reflex arc a. Definition-the simplest type of nerve pathway b. Function-implies an automatic, unconscious, protective response to a situation in an attempt to maintain body homeostasis. c. Receptor-includes the dendrite of a sensory neuron and the place where the nerve impulse is initiated. d. Sensory neuron-relays the impulse through the posterior root to the CNS. e. Motor neuron-conducts the nerve impulse to an effector organ. f. Effector organ-generally a skeletal muscle. 2. Kinds of Reflexes a. Visceral reflexes-reflexes that cause smooth or cardiac muscle or contract or glands to secrete; help control the

bodys many involuntary processes such as heart rate, blood flow, and digestion. b. Stretch reflexes-involves only two neurons and one synapse in the pathway; called a monosynaptic reflex arc. c. Flexor reflex-also called a withdrawal reflex; involves a polysynaptic reflex arc; involve association neurons in addition to the sensory and motor neurons; initiated as a person encounters a painful stimulus, such as a hot or sharp object.