12/14/2012

12/14/2012

Structural Organization of the Nervous System

The Nervous System has:

Parts, Regions, Systems. Its Main Parts are: Encephalon, i.e. inside cranial cavity. Suspended in semi compartmentalized fluid (CSF) containing spaces. Medulla Spinalis, i.e. the part in the vertebral canal. In contrast to the encephalon, its dura is not adherent to the canal Connected to the encephalon are 12 pairs of cranial nerves. And 31 pairs of spinal nerves to the medulla spinalis.
12/14/2012 3

12/14/2012

12/14/2012

12/14/2012

12/14/2012

12/14/2012

Structural Organization of the Nervous System The nerves mediate: Motor, Sensory, and Visceral or Splanchnic nerve fibres (Peripheral Autonomic Nervous System). Peripheral Nervous system is mainly Conductor with very minor integration. From the CNS (containing networks of fibres neurons and interneurons):
appropriate patterns of responses to stimuli from internal and external environment.

12/14/2012

Structural Organization of the Nervous System

Learning, Memory, Consciousness. The Spinal cord / upper 2/3 rd. of vertebral canal. White matter outside. Encephalon consists of:
Rhombencephalon (hindbrain) including the Myelencephalon (medulla), Metencephalon (pons), Cerebellum. Mesencephalon (midbrain) Prosencephalon: Telencephalon Diencephalon.
12/14/2012 10

Structural Organization of the Nervous System The nervous system is divided into: 1) The central nervous system (CNS) - the brain and spinal cord 2) The peripheral nervous system (PNS) - the 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves Two broad categories of cells make up the nervous system: 1) Neurons: Approx. 100 billion located in the CNS, they communicate with other cells by means of a chemical (or electrical) synapse. 2) Neuroglia - support/maintain neurons.

12/14/2012

11

 Neuron Structure 1) Cell body or Perikaryon, forming nuclei inside the nervous system, and ganglia outside the nervous system. 2) Dendrites, 3) Axon, axon hillock, collateral axons, axon terminals. IV. Classification of Neurons: 1) Sensory, or afferent 2) Motor, efferent A. Somatic motor neurons B. Autonomic motor neurons
1 )

3) Interneurons Located within the CNS and in autonomic ganglia

12/14/2012 12

 V. Neuroglia

Six primary types of nervous cells support the activity of neurons:

1) Schwanns cells - form a myelin sheath around all axons and some dendrites of the PNS.

2) Oligodendrocytes - form a myelin sheath around some of the axons of the CNS.

Myelin = a lipoprotein. Forms partial insulating cover around some neuron axons = myelin sheath. Increases speed of conduction of the action potential. Consistent gaps of the myelin sheath are called Nodes of Ranvier.

12/14/2012

13

 3) Microglia - phagocytic cells that patrol the CNS for foreign particles.
4) Astrocytes - contribute to the formation of the blood-brain barrier.

5) Ependymal cells 6) Satellite cells

12/14/2012

14