ASIA PACIFIC COLLEGE OF ADVANCED STUDIES

A.H. Banzon St, Ibayo, Balanga City

EP (MC I) - Anatomy and Physiology

BSN II
Nervous System

Name: Santos, Lore Anne Mhae T. Date: ______________________________

Instructor: Giovanni D. David, EdD, RN Score:

Weekly task no. 1.

A.Answer the following questions comprehensively.
1. List the structures and basic functions of the nervous system.
 Sensory input- The sensory input is sensing the environment and changes around an
organism, and is carried out by sensory organs like eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin,
some of them performing simultaneously
 Integration- To process and interpret sensory input and decide if action is needed
 Motor output- The motor (also known as efferent) division of the nervous system
contains motor nerves. These nerves conduct impulses from the CNS and PNS to
the muscles, organs and glands' effecting what happens in those tissues. The somatic
division of the nervous system contains nerves which end in the skeletal muscles
2. Identify the cells of the nervous system and their functions.
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A.H. Banzon St, Ibayo, Balanga City

Neuroglia- There are six types of neuroglia—four in the central nervous system and two
in the PNS. These glial cells are involved in many specialized functions apart from support of the
neurons. Neuroglia in the CNS include astrocytes, microglial cells, ependymal cells and
oligodendrocytes. In the PNS, satellite cells and Schwann cells are the two kinds of neuroglia.

Astrocytes- Astrocytes are shaped like a star and are the most abundant glial cell in the
CNS. They have many radiating processes which help in clinging to the neurons and capillaries.
They support and brace the neurons and anchor them to the nutrient supply lines. They also help
in the guiding the migration of young neurons. Astrocytes control the chemical environment
around the neurons.

Microglial Cells- Astrocytes are shaped like a star and are the most abundant glial cell in
the CNS. They have many radiating processes which help in clinging to the neurons and
capillaries. They support and brace the neurons and anchor them to the nutrient supply lines.
They also help in the guiding the migration of young neurons. Astrocytes control the chemical
environment around the neurons.

Ependymal Cells- Ependymal cells are ciliated and line the central cavities of the brain
and spinal cord where they form a fairly permeable barrier between the cerebrospinal fluid that
fills these cavities and the tissue cells of the CNS.

Oligodendrocytes- Oligodendrocytes line up along the nerves and produce an insulating

cover called myelin sheath. They are found in the CNS.

Satellite Cells- Satellite cells surround neuron cell bodies in the peripheral nervous
system (PNS). They are analogous to the astrocytes in the CNS.

Schwann Cells- Schwann cells surround all nerve fibers in the peripheral nervous system
and form myelin sheaths around the nerve fibers. They are found in the PNS. Their function is
similar to oligodendrocytes

Neurons- Neurons consist of cell body and one or more slender processes. The neuronal
cell body consists of a nucleus and rough endoplasmic reticulum or Nissl Bodies. The cell body
is the major biosynthetic center of a neuron and contains the usual organelles for the synthesis of
proteins and other chemicals. Arm like processes extend from the cell body to all neurons.

3. Outline the events in an action potential.

 Initially the cell is resting at around -70 mV.
 The cell becomes excited.
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 Channels open and the membrane permiability to sodium is suddenly increase

greatly
 Sodium(Na+) rushes into the cell.
 Voltage-activated Potassium channels open.
 Permeability to Potassium (K+) increases slowly.
4. Describe the process of synaptic transmission.
- Synaptic transmission is the process by which one neuron communicates with another.
Information is passed down the axon of the neuron as an electrical impulse known as
action potential. Once the action potential reaches the end of the axon it needs to be
transferred to another neuron or tissue. It must cross over the synaptic gap between the
presynaptic neuron and post-synaptic neuron. At the end of the neuron (in the axon
terminal) are the synaptic vesicles, which contain chemical messengers, known as
neurotransmitters. When the electrical impulse (action potential) reaches these synaptic
vesicles, they release their contents of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters then carry the
signal across the synaptic gap. They bind to receptor sites on the post-synaptic cell,
thereby completing the process of synaptic transmission.

5. Name the coverings of the brain and spinal cord.

- Meninges are membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. There are
three layers of meninges: Dura mater (closest to the bone), Arachnoid loosely around the
brain, Pia mater is closely attached to the brain and spinal cord surface
6. Explain the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.
- Beginning in the lateral ventricles, CSF flows through two passageways into the third
ventricle. From the third ventricle it flows down a long, narrow passageway (the
aqueduct of Sylvius) into the fourth ventricle.

7. List the parts of the brain and describe the function of each.
- Cerebrum. The cerebrum (front of brain) is composed of the right and left hemispheres,
which are joined by the corpus callosum. Functions of the cerebrum include: initiation of
movement, coordination of movement, temperature, touch, vision, hearing, judgment, reasoning,
problem solving, emotions, and learning
-Brainstem. The brainstem (middle of brain) includes the midbrain, the pons, and the
medulla. Functions of this area include: movement of the eyes and mouth, relaying sensory
messages (such as hot, pain, and loud), respirations, consciousness, cardiac function, involuntary
muscle movements, sneezing, coughing, vomiting, and swallowing
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-Cerebellum. The cerebellum (back of brain) is located at the back of the head. Its
function is to coordinate voluntary muscle movements and to maintain posture, balance, and
equilibrium.
-Pons. A deep part of the brain, located in the brainstem, the pons contains many of the
control areas for eye and face movements.
-Medulla. The lowest part of the brainstem, the medulla is the most vital part of the entire
brain and contains important control centers for the heart and lungs
-Spinal cord. A large bundle of nerve fibers located in the back that extends from the base
of the brain to the lower back, the spinal cord carries messages to and from the brain and the rest
of the body.
-Frontal lobe. The largest section of the brain located in the front of the head, the frontal
lobe is involved in personality characteristics and movement. Recognition of smell usually
involves parts of the frontal lobe
-Parietal lobe. The middle part of the brain, the parietal lobe helps a person to identify
objects and understand spatial relationships (where one's body is compared to objects around the
person). The parietal lobe is also involved in interpreting pain and touch in the body.
-Occipital lobe. The occipital lobe is the back part of the brain that is involved with
vision.
-Temporal lobe. The sides of the brain, these temporal lobes are involved in short-term
memory, speech, musical rhythm, and some degree of smell recognition.

8. Describe the major parts of the spinal cord and their functions.
Cervical enlargement- The cervical enlargement corresponds with the attachments of the large
nerves which supply the upper limbs. It extends from about the fifth cervical to the first thoracic
vertebra, its maximum circumference (about 38 mm.) being on a level with the attachment of the
sixth pair of cervical nerves.
Dura & Arachnoid mater- The meninges refer to the membranous coverings of the brain and
spinal cord. There are three layers of meninges, known as the dura mater, arachnoid mater and
pia mater. These coverings have two major functions: Provide a supportive framework for the
cerebral and cranial vasculature.
Lumbar enlargement- He lumbar enlargement (or lumbosacral enlargement) is a widened area
of the spinal cord that gives attachment to the nerves which supply the lower limbs. It
commences about the level of T11 and ends at L2, and reaches its maximum circumference, of
about 33 mm.
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Cauda equina- The cauda equina (from Latin horse's tail) is a bundle of spinal nerves and spinal
nerve rootlets, consisting of the second through fifth lumbar nerve pairs, the first through fifth
sacral nerve pairs, and the coccygeal nerve, all of which arise from the lumbar enlargement and
the conus medullaris of the spinal cord
Cervical spinal nerves- The cervical nerves are the spinal nerves from the cervical vertebrae in
the cervical segment of the spinal cord. Although there are seven cervical vertebrae (C1-C7),
there are eight cervical nerves C1–C8. C1–C7 emerge above their corresponding vertebrae, while
C8 emerges below the C7 vertebra
Thoracic spinal nerves- The thoracic spine has 12 nerve roots (T1 to T12) on each side of
the spine that branch from the spinal cord and control motor and sensory signals mostly for the
upper back, chest, and abdomen. Each thoracic spinal nerve is named for the vertebra above it.
End of spinal cord- The spinal cord is an extension of the central nervous system (CNS), which
consists of the brain and spinal cord. The spinal cord begins at the bottom of the brain stem (at
the area called the medulla oblongata) and ends in the lower back, as it tapers to form a cone
called the conus medullaris.
Lumbar spinal nerves- The lumbar nerves are five spinal nerves which arise from either side of
the spinal cord below the thoracic spinal cord and above the sacral spinal cord. They arise from
the spinal cord between each pair of lumbar spinal vertebrae and travel through the intervertebral
foramina
End of meningeal coverings- The meninges are the connective tissue coverings of the brain and
spinal cord. The outermost layer is the dura mater, a dense and tough tissue that is reduplicated
to form the periosteum of the inner skull.
Sacral spinal nerves- He sacral plexus is a network of nerve fibres that supplies the skin and
muscles of the pelvis and lower limb. It is located on the surface of the posterior pelvic wall,
anterior to the piriformis muscle. The plexus is formed by the anterior rami (divisions) of
the sacral spinal nerves S1, S2, S3 and S4.
9. Compare the ascending and descending spinal tracts.

Ascending Spinal Tracts- When sensory nerve fibers reach the spinal cord, they are sorted into
different bundles depending on their function. They are known as nerve tracts or fasciculi and are
found within the white matter of the spinal cord. As the name suggests, the ascending tracts of the
spinal cord ascend from the spinal cord and connect it to the brain. These tracts are named based
on their origin and termination..

Descending Spinal Tracts- Descending tracts are the pathways by which motor signals are sent
from the brain to the spinal cord. They are also called motor tracts, due to their involvement in
movement coordination.
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B. Enumerate the following data being asked for.

1-3. Three Functions of Nervous System

 Sensory input
 Integration
 Motor output
4-5. Two Components of CNS
 Brain
 Spinal cord
6-7. Two Subdivisions of Motor (efferent) nerves
 Somatic Nervous System
 Autonomic Nervous System
8-12. Five Supporting Cells of the brain
 Astrocytes
 Microglia
 Ependymal
 Oligodendrocytes
 Schwann cells
13-15. Three Functional Classifications of Neurons
 Sensory neurons/Afferent Neurons
 Motor neurons/Efferent neurons
 Interneurons/Association neurons
16-17. Two subdivisions of Peripheral nervous system
 Sensory/Afferent division
 Motor/Efferent division
18-20. Three structural classifications of neurons
 Multipolar neurons
 Bipolar neurons
 Unipolar Neurons
21-24. Four Lobes of the cerebrum
 Frontal
 Parietal
 Occipital
 Temporal
25-27. Three Major Parts of the Diencephalon
 Thalamus
 Hypothalamus
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 Epithalamus
28-30. Three parts of the brain stem
 Midbrain
 Pons
 Medulla Oblongata

31-33. Three Protection of the central nervous system

 Meninges
 Cerebrospinal fluid
 Blood brain barrier
34-38. Five Spinal Nerves
 Cervical
 Thoracic
 Lumbar
 Sacral
 Coccyx

39-50. Twelve Cranial Nerves and their functions

 Olfactory - Smell
 Optic - Vision
 Oculomotor - Eye movement; pupil constriction
 Trochlear - Eye movement
 Trigeminal - Somatosensory information (touch, pain) from the face and head; muscles
for chewing.
 Abducens - Eye movement
 Facial - Taste (anterior 2/3 of tongue); somatosensory information from ear; controls
muscles used in facial expression.
 Vestibulocochlear - Hearing; balance
 Glossopharyngeal - Taste (posterior 1/3 of tongue); Somatosensory information from
tongue, tonsil, pharynx; controls some muscles used in swallowing.
 Vagus - Sensory, motor and autonomic functions of viscera (glands, digestion, heart rate)
 Accessory - Controls muscles used in head movement.
 Hypoglossal - Controls muscles of tongue