NERVOUS SYSTEM:

ANATOMY OF BRAIN
Dr. Hermizi Hapidin
Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan (PPSK)
Universiti Sains Malaysia

Email Add.: hermizi@usm.my

Ext No.:
Ext. No : 7634
1. Describe the classifications of the nervous system
2. Describe the histology
gy of nervous tissue
3. List down the protective coverings of the brain
4. Describe the meninges, cerebrospinal fluid &
ventricles
i l off the
h brain
b i
5. Identify the major parts of the brain and describe
their gross structure:
Forebrain Rostral Caudal

Midbrain

Hindbrain

* Brainstem
 Nervous system is a complex and highly organized
network of billions of neurons and even more neuroglia
The structure that make up the nervous system include;
the brain, cranial nerves and their branches, the spinal
cord, spinal nerves and their branches, ganglia, enteric
plexuses and sensory receptors
Thi is
This i a stimulus
ti l response system
t
Stimulus is anything which provokes a response
Response is the result or answer to a stimulus
1. Sensation or sensory input
Monitors changes or events occurring in and outside
the body. Such changes are known as stimuli and the
cells that monitor them are receptors
2. Integration
The parallel processing and interpretation of sensory
information to determine the appropriate response
3. Reaction or motor output
Motor output - the activation of muscles or glands
(t i ll via
(typically i th l
the release off neurotransmitters)
t itt )
 A sensation is the conscious or subconscious awareness
off external
t l and
d internal
i t l stimuli
ti li
Conscious sensations:
a)) General sensations ((touch,, p pressure,, vibration,,
temperature, pain, itch, tickle and proprioception)
b) Visceral sensations (all above arising from viscera)
c) Special sensations (smell,(smell taste,
taste vision,
vision hearing,
hearing
equilibrium)
 Activities of nervous system can be grouped into three basic
functions;
f ti
1. Sensory function
2. Integrative
g function
3. Motor function
 CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
(CNS) (PNS)

BRAIN SPINAL CORD Peripheral nerves Ganglia

FOREBRAIN Dorsal root

MIDBRAIN SPINAL SEGMENTS Spinal nerves
Autonomic
HINDBRAIN Cranial nerves
(Sympathetic &
Autonomic nerves
Parasympathetic)
 Comprises of:
a) Neurons
b) Neuroglia
Neurons:
nerve cells or excitable cells (functional unit)
responsible for most special functions attributed to the
ne o s system
nervous s stem sensing,
sensing thinking,
thinking remembering,
emembe ing
controlling muscle activity & regulating glandular secretion
Neuroglia:
supporting cells or non- excitable cells
support, nourish and protects neurons and maintain
homeostasis in the interstitial fluid that bathes neurons
 A typical neurons have three parts:
A cell body or soma
Dendrites
Neurites or processes
Axon
The cell body contains a nucleus surrounded by cytoplasm
Dendrites (little tree) are the receiving or the input
portion of a neuron
The axon (axis) propagate nerve impulses toward
another neuron
neuron, a muscle fiber or a gland cell (long
process of nerve cell that propagates nerve impulse
towards synaptic terminals)
 Synaptic
Dendrites
Dendrites Cell body Axon terminals

Stimulated by enviromental Contains the nucleus Conducts nerve impulse

Affect another
changes or the activities of and mitochondria, (action potential) away from
neuron, muscle
other cells ribosomes, etc. the cell body
or gland
 Structural classification of neurons

a) Bipolar neuron b) Mutipolar neuron c) Unipolar neuron

(retina of the eye, inner ear) (brain , spinal cord)
1. Sensory neurons (afferent) about 10 millions
i. Somatic sensory neurons
ii. Exteroceptors
iii Proprioceptors
iii.
iv. Visceral sensory (interoceptors) neurons
2. Motor neurons (efferent)
( )
i. Somatic motor neurons
ii. Visceral motor neurons
3. Interneurons (association neurons) (90%)
 CNS neurogliag include:
Astrocytes
- Fibrous
- Protoplasmic
l
Oligodendrocytes
Microglia
Ependymal cell
PNS neurogliag include:
Satellite cells
Schwann cells
 Histology of brain
Neuron Neuroglia

Pyramidal cells = neurons of the cerebral cortex

Cerebral cortex at higher power shows pyramidal neurons with their large nuclei
and p
prominent nucleoli. Manyy of the py
pyramidal neurons have small round nuclei
associated with them. These round nuclei are known as satellite cells.
 Lies in the cranial cavity
Adult human brain contains 100 billions of neurons
Each neuron receives information from 80,000 synapses
at a time
Human brain contains almost 98% of total neural tissue
Weight = 1.4 kg, Volume = 1200 cc (750 cc 2100 cc)
Brains of males are 10% larger
g than females (different
(
body size)
No correlation exists between brain size and intelligence
The brain is protected and isolated by multiple structures:
Bony y cranium
Meninges
protective connective tissue membranes
surround and partition portions of the brain
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
acts as a cushioning fluid
Blood-brain barrier
prevents entry of harmful materials from the
bloodstream
 Scalp
p
Periosteum
Skull bone
Dura mater
Subduaral space
Subarachnoid space
Pia mater
Cerebral cortex
Brain
Cerebral
cortex
 Meninges is the system of membranes which envelops the
CNS.
CNS The meninges consist of three layers:
1) Dura mater (dura = tough, mater = mother) (Outermost)
2) Arachnoid mater (aracn = spider web like) (Middle)
3) Pia mater (pia = delicate) (Innermost)
DURA MATER covering the brain with blood vessels underneath

Dura mater

C i l meninges
Cranial i -b i
brain

Middle meningeal
artery
 Clear, colorless liquid that protects the brain & spinal cord
The site of CSF production are choroid plexuses (network
of capillaries) in the wall of ventricles
Function:
Mechanical protection
Chemical protection
Circulation
 Ventricles or cavities of brain, contains cerebro-spinal
fluid (CSF)
Four types:
Right
g lateral ventricle
Left lateral ventricle
Third ventricle
Fourth
F th ventricle
ti l

* The primary function of the meninges and

of the CSF is to protect the CNS
R L
 Brain is the most fascinating organ in the body because all
of our dreams, passions, plans and memories result from
brain
b i activity
ti it
Major parts of the brain:
a) Forebrain
b) Midbrain
c) Hindbrain
Forebrain is divided into cerebrum & diencephalon

Midbrain separated into cerebral peduncles & colliculi

Hindbrain consists of pons

pons, medulla oblongata & cerebellum
It is continuous with the spinal cord through the foramen
magnum
Major Parts of the Brain Cavities of the Brain

Cerebrum
Right lateral ventricle
Forebrain Left lateral ventricle
Third ventricle
Diencephalon

Cerebral peduncles
Midb i
Midbrain Cerebral aqueduct
Colliculi

Pons

Hindbrain Medulla oblongata Fourth ventricle

Central canal
Cerebellum
 Cerebrum (telencephalon) is the largest part of the brain
Consists of two cerebral hemispheres:
a) Right hemisphere
b) Left hemisphere
The hemispheres separated by a deep cleft
longitudinal fissure

Right hemisphere

Longitudinal fissure

Cerebral
veins and Left hemisphere
arteries
Superior view
 Each cerebral hemisphere has FOUR LOBES:
1) Frontal
2) Occipital
3) Temporal
4) Parietal
Parietal lobe

Frontal lobe

Occipital lobe

Temporal lobe Left lateral view

 Each cerebral hemisphere has FOUR POLES:
1) Frontal (anterior end)
2) Occipital (posterior end)
3) Temporal
4) Parietal
Parietal pole

Frontal pole Occipital pole

Temporal pole Left lateral view of brain

 Each cerebral hemisphere has GYRI (folds) and SULCI
(fissure). FOUR MAJOR SULCI of cerebral hemisphere:
1) Central sulcus
2) Lateral or Sylvian sulcus
3) Calcarine sulcus or calcarine fissure
4) Parieto-occipital sulcus

Central sulcus
Parieto-occipital sulcus

Lateral sulcus
Calcarine sulcus

Left lateral view of brain

FOUR MAJOR SULCI:
1) Central sulcus (separates frontal lobe from parietal lobe)
2) Lateral
L t l sulcus
l (separates
( t frontal
f t l lobe
l b from
f temporal
t l lobe)
l b )
3) Calcarine sulcus or fissure (located at the very caudal end of the
medial surface of the brain)
4) Parieto-occipital sulcus (separates parietal from occipital lobe)

Central sulcus
Parieto occipital sulcus
Parieto-occipital

Lateral sulcus
Calcarine sulcus

Left lateral view of brain

 THREE MAJOR GYRI of cerebral hemisphere:
1) Precentral gyrus (located anterior to central sulcus)
2) Postcentral gyrus (located posterior to central sulcus)
3) Superior temporal gyrus (located below lateral sulcus)
Frontal lobe Parietal lobe

Precentral
gyrus
Postcentral
Central gyrus
sulcus
Parieto-occipital sulcus

Lateral Occipital lobe

sulcus

Temporal lobe
Left lateral view of brain
 Sulcus = minor infolding of nervous tissue on cerebral or cerebellar cortex

Central sulcus

Parietal lobe

Occipital lobe

Frontal lobe

Temporal lobe

Lateral sulcus

Left lateral view of brain

 Gyrus = outfolding of nervous tissue on cerebral or cerebellar cortex

Precentral gyrus Postcentral gyrus

Precentral gyrus:
motor area
Postcentral gyrus:
sensory area
Superior temporal gyrus:
auditory area

Superior temporal gyrus

Left lateral view of brain

 Temporal pole
Occipital pole

Frontal pole

Ventral or inferior surface of the brain

 Longitudinal fissure

O i it l lobe
Occipital l b

Frontal lobe

Central sulcus Parietal lobe

Dorsal or superior surface of the brain

 Parietal lobe
Parieto-occipital sulcus
Occipital lobe
Calcarine sulcus

Medial surface of the brain

 Precentral gyrus:
t area
motor
Postcentral gyrus:
sensory area
 STRUCTURE OF CEREBRUM:
a) White matter
b) Gray matter

(axon-myelin)

(cell bodies)
 White matter
Consists of neuroglia and myelinated nerve fibers. These fibers are
arrangedd in three
h groups;
i. Projection fibers (tracts)
e.g. internal capsule
ii. Commissural fibers (tracts)
e.g. corpus callosum, anterior commissure, posterior
commissure,, fornix & habenular commissure
iii. Association fibers (tracts) (Long and Short)
e.g. uncinate fasciculus, cingulum, sup. and inferior
longitudinal
o g tud a fasciculus,
asc cu us, fronto-occipital
o to occ p ta fasciculus
asc cu us
 Gray matter
p
Composed of nerve cell bodies,, their dendrites and some supportive
pp
tissue
Distributed at;
i. Cerebral cortex
forms surface layer of cerebral hemisphere
composed of two principal types of neurons - stellate cells
(input neurons) and pyramidal cells (output neurons)
ii. Basal ganglia (nuclei)
consists of several pairs of nuclei
the largest nucleus is corpus striatum
iii. Limbic system
emotional brain plays a primary role in a range of emotions
i l di pain,
including i pleasure,
l d ilit affection
docility, ff ti andd anger
White matter
Gray matter
 Brocas area / motor speech h center = an area involved
l d in speechh production
d situated
d on the
h
inferior frontal gyrus of the brain (control muscle of speech, expressive).
Wernicke's second motor speech area = a speech center on the posterior part of the
superior temporal gyrus (understanding of written, spoken language).
 Forms the central core of the forebrain
3 paired structures;
1. Thalamus
2. Hypothalamus All 3 are gray matter

3. Epithalamus

Thalamus

Hypothalamus
1. Thalamus
g mass of g
A large y matter
gray
Forms 4/5 of diencephalon

It has a number of nuclei to integrate

between cerebrum and other parts of
body
Sensory relay station where sensory
signals
i l can beb edited,
dit d sorted,
t d and d
routed
Also has profound input on motor (via
the basal ganglia and cerebellum) and
cognitive function
Nuclei of thalamus
2. Hypothalamus
p
It occupies the side walls of floor of 3rd
ventricle
It is a bilateral paired structure

Its weight is only 4 gm

Functions;

- Autonomic regulatory center

- Emotional response
- Regulation of body temperature
- Regulation
g of food intake
- Regulation of water balance and thirst
- Regulation of sleep/wake cycles
- Hormonal control
3.
3 Epithalamus
E ith l
Above the thalamus

Contains the ppineal g

gland
which releases melatonin
(involved in sleep/wake
cycle and mood)
Contains a structure called
the habenula involved in
food and water intake
3. Epithalamus
 Is the narrow part of the brain
Connects the forebrain to the hindbrain
Comprises of two lateral halves cerebral peduncles
Anterior surface crus cerebri
On the posterior or dorsal surface presents four colliculi or
corpora quadrigemina
Corpora quadrigemina

Cerebral peduncle

Lateral aspect
 The narrow cavity of midbrain is the cerebral aqueduct
connects the third & fourth ventricles
Tectum - part of the midbrain posterior to cerebral aqueduct,
it has 4 small surface swellings = two superior and two
inferior colliculi (corpora quadrigemina)

Superior colliculus

Inferior colliculus Tectum

Cerebral
aqueduct

Sagittal section
 Posterior
Tectum

Superior
colliculus

Anterior
Medial aspect Midbrain - Section through
superior
p colliculus
 Lies anterior to cerebellum (pons = bridge)
Connects medulla oblongata to midbrain
Length is about 2.5 cm
Contains nuclei associated with 4 pairs of cranial nerves : V
(trigeminal) , VI (abducens), VII (facial) and VIII
(vestibulocochlear)

Medial aspect
 Is conical in shape
Connects the pons above to the spinal cord below
Median fissure is present on the anterior surface
On each side median fissure there, is a swelling - pyramid
Posterior to pyramids are the olives
Behind the olives are the inferior cerebellar peduncles
(connects medulla to cerebellum)

Medial aspect Anterior view

 Midbrain

Pons

Cerebellum Inferior cerebellar

Cerebellum peduncle

Olive
Median Pyramid Medulla oblongata Lateral aspect
fissure

Anterior view
 (midbrain)

Anterior median fissure

 Sagittal section
(Medial aspect)
Ventral or inferior surface of the brain
 The largest part of hind brain
Lies inferior to cerebrum,, p posterior to p
pons and medulla
oblongata
It is cauliflower in appearance
Consists of two cerebellar hemispheres joined by vermis
It has THREE main lobes (anterior, middle and flocculonodular)
 Has a complex, convoluted cortical surface with multiple folds
(folia) which are less prominent than the gyri of the cerebrum
Along the midline,
midline a narrow band of cortex called the vermis
separates the cerebellar hemispheres
Anterior and posterior lobes separated by the primary fissure
Flocculonodular lobe is situated posterior to posterior
(posterolateral) fissure

Vermis
Medulla
oblongata
Folia

Superior view
 The flocculonodular lobe is a lobe of the cerebellum
consisting of the nodule/nodules and the flocculus

Flocculonodular
lobe

Inferior view
Superior view of an "unrolled" cerebellum
cerebellum,
placing the vermis in one plane
 Purkinje cells in cerebellum
Purkinje cells
neuronal cell bodies in the middle layer of the cerebellar
cortex; characterized byy a large,
g g globose bodyy and
massive,branching dendrites but a single, slender axon
 Is the part of the brain between the spinal cord and the
d p a o ((thalamus,
diencephalon a a u , hypothalamus,
ypo a a u , epithalamus)
p aa u )
Provides the main motor and sensory innervations to the face
and neck via the cranial nerves
It is consists of:
1. Midbrain
2. Pons
3. Medulla oblongata

Medial aspect
 Similar structure to spinal cord but contains
embedded nuclei
Controls automatic behaviors necessary for
survival
Contains fiber tracts connecting higher and
lower neural centers
Associated with 10 of the 12 pairs of cranial
nerves
Frontal lobe
Olfactory bulb
((synapse
y p point
p of
cranial nerve I)
Optic chiasma
Optic nerve (II)
O ti tract
Optic t t
Mammillary body
Midbrain
Pons
Temporal lobe
Medulla
oblongata
g
Cerebellum
Spinal cord