PCDM103L.

General Physiology with Family Planning (Laboratory)

Name: MUSICO, Ramil John D.

Student Number: 2020-03899
Program, Year, & Section: DENT3J
Date: October 30, 2022

Laboratory Activity 9. Nervous System

Objectives: At the end of the activity, students are expected to be familiar with the actual
structures of the different nervous tissues observed in prepared slides, and to
relate these structures with the overall physiology of the nervous system.
Students are also expected to describe the functional components of a typical
neuron, and name the spinal nerves and locate them using a figure.

Materials: Prepared Slides of Nervous Tissues, Compound Microscope

Procedure: Examine the following prepared slides of nervous tissues under LPO and HPO of
a compound microscope. Try to find, photograph, and label as many features of
each specimen as you can.

 Cow Nerve Cells Smear

 Cerebrum (H&E stained) sect.
 Cerebrum (Silver stained) c.s.
 Cerebellum (H&E stained) c.s.
 Cerebellum (Silver stained) c.s.
 Mammal Spinal Ganglion l.s.
 Human Sciatic Nerve c.s.
 Nerve unmedullated l.s.
 Human Medulla Oblongata c.s.

Choose one photograph under LPO and HPO for each of the above listed
nervous tissues, and label all prominent structures seen. (You may use online
references or atlas of histology as reference to determine and name those
microscopic structures.) Provide the primary function/s of the specimen.
Results / Observations:

Cow Nerve Cells Smear

Image (LPO): Image (HPO):
Axon
Cell body
Cell body Supporting cells

Nucleus

Cerebrum (H&E stained) sect.

Image (LPO): Image (HPO):

Glial cells

Cerebrum (Silver stained) c.s.

Image (LPO): Image (HPO): Granular layer
with pyramidal
cells
Arachnoid meninx

Pia mater
 Cerebellum (H&E stained) c.s.
Image (LPO): Image (HPO):
Ganglionic layer

Molecular layer

Purkinje cells

Granular layer

Cerebellum (Silver stained) c.s.

Image (LPO): Image (HPO):
Stellate cells

Pia mater

Mammal Spinal Ganglion l.s.

Image (LPO): Image (HPO): Ganglionar neurons

Blood vessel
 Human Sciatic Nerve c.s.
Image (LPO): Image (HPO):
Nerve fibers

Nerve unmedullated l.s.

Image (LPO): Image (HPO): Oligodendrocyte

Human Medulla Oblongata c.s.

Image (LPO): Image (HPO):
Oligodendrocyte

Granular layer
Primary function/s of each specimen
Specimen
Cow Nerve Cells Smear
Cerebrum (H&E stained) sect.
Cerebrum (Silver stained) c.s.
Cerebellum (H&E stained) c.s.
Cerebellum (Silver stained) c.s. Control subconscious skeletal muscle movements like
Mammal Spinal Ganglion l.s.
Human Sciatic Nerve c.s.
Nerve unmedullated l.s
Human Medulla Oblongata c.s.
Function/s
It is divided into sensory neurons, interneurons, and
motor neurons, which work together to receive external
stimuli and transmit the impulse to muscles or glands of
the body for an appropriate response to the stimulus.
The brain's primary processing center, associated with
reasoning, planning, parts of speech, movement,
emotions, and problem solving.
The brain's primary processing center, associated with
reasoning, planning, parts of speech, movement,
emotions, and problem solving.
Control subconscious skeletal muscle movements like
coordinating activity, integrating movements, and
coordinating reflexes that keep posture and balance.
coordinating activity, integrating movements, and
coordinating reflexes that keep posture and balance.
It plays an important role in sensory transmission,
particularly in relaying sensory nerve impulses from the
periphery to the peripheral nervous system.
It has both motor and sensory capabilities. The motor
function allows your leg and foot muscles to move.
Sensory function, on the other hand, allows you to feel
sensations in your legs.
It transports impulses to the brain or spinal cord.
It aids in the regulation of vital processes such as
heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure.
Guide Questions

1. In the blanks numbered 1 through 31, write the correct spinal nerve abbreviation. In the
blanks 32 through 38, write the name of the nerve feature indicated.

C1
C2
C3
C4 Cervical plexus (C1 – C5)

C5
C6
C7
C8
T1 Brachial plexus (C5 – T1)
T2
T3
T4

T5 Intercostal (thoracic nerves)

T6

T7
T8

T9

T10

T11

T12

L1 Conus medullaris / Medullary cone

L2 Cauda equina

L3
Lumbar plexus (L1 – L4)
L4

L5

S1
Sacral plexus (L4 – S4)
S2
S3
S4
S5
CO1
 2. Provide the description and functions of the following structures associated with a
neuron, spinal cord and spinal nerve.
 Structures associated with a neuron
Structures Description
Soma It is also regarded as the
perikaryon or cell body of a
neuron, which contains the
nucleus and other structures
common to living cells.
Nissl Bodies These are flake-like
structures in neuronal cell
bodies that contain free
ribosomes and prominent
clusters of rough
endoplasmic reticulum.
Axon Hillock It is a clear and cone-shaped
elevation in the soma.
Dendrite These are usually short,
tapering, and highly branched
part of neuron.
Axon It is a long, thin, cylindrical
projection that often joins to
the cell body at a cone-
shaped elevation called the
axon hillock
Schwann Cells These are myelin-secreting
glial cells that spirally wrap
around a peripheral nervous
system axon.
Nodes of Ranvier These are gaps in the myelin
sheath which appear at
intervals along the axon.
Collateral Axon These are the side branches
located along the length of an
axon which may branch off
typically at a right angle to
Function/s
Its function as the neuron's
core is to maintain the cell
and keep the neuron
functioning properly.
Since it contains free
ribosomes and clusters of
rough ER, it is basically
involved in the synthesis and
release of protein.
It serves as an administrator,
accumulating all received
signals, both inhibitory and
excitatory.
These are the receiving or
input portions of a neuron.
Its main function is to send
information to various
neurons, muscles, and
glands.
These cells encircle PNS
axons. It can enclose as
many as 20 or more
unmyelinated axons. And
lastly, it participates in axon
regeneration.
Apart from protecting the
axons of neuron cells. It also
serves to recharge the action
potential that travels along
the axon.
It enables neurons to
communicate with one
another and connect with
multiple synaptic targets.

Telodendria
 Structures associated with a spinal cord and spinal nerve
Structures
Dura Mater
Arachnoid Mater
Subarachnoid Space
Pia mater
Anterior Median Fissure
Posterior Median Sulcus
Cervical Enlargement
Nerves to and from the upper
the axon.
These are the small terminal
branches of an axon.
Description
The most superficial spinal
meninges that is thick,
strong layer, and composed
of dense irregular connective
tissue.
The middle of the meningeal
membranes that is thin,
avascular covering
composed of cells and thin,
loosely arranged collagen
and elastic fibers.
It contains shock-absorbing
cerebrospinal fluid that is
located between arachnoid
and pia mater.
. The innermost meninx that
is thin, transparent
connective tissue layer that
adheres to the surface
of the spinal cord and brain.
It is a broad groove on the
anterior or ventral side of the
spinal cord's white matter.
It is a narrow furrow on the
posterior or dorsal side of the
spinal cord's white matter.
It is regarded as superior
enlargement which extends
from the fourth cervical
vertebra (C4) to the
first thoracic vertebra (T1).
It acts as insulation,
increasing the conduction
velocity of impulses.
Function/s
It not only protects the brain
and spinal cord, but it also
provides a complex system of
venous drainage through
which blood can leave the
brain.
It provides a space for the
flow of cerebrospinal fluid.
It encloses CSF, which
cushions the brain and spinal
cord while also supplying
nutrients and eliminating
waste.
It provides a blood supply to
the skull and to the
hemispheres.
It creates a groove for the
anterior spinal artery to rest
in.
It divides the posterior portion
of the cord into halves and
contains a delicate layer of
pia, the posterior median
septum.
It supplies the upper limbs
and contributes to the
brachial plexus.
 limbs arise in this
enlargements.
Lumbar Enlargement It is regarded as inferior
enlargement which extends
from the ninth to the twelfth
thoracic vertebra. Nerves to
and from the lower limbs
arise from this enlargements
Medullary Cone These are tapering and
conical structure located
inferiorly to the lumbar
enlargement.
Cauda Equina A tail-like arrangement of
spinal nerve roots at the
lower end of the spinal cord.
Ventral Spine Nerve Root It is made up of axons of
motor (efferent) neurons that
emerge from the spinal cords’
anterior aspect and extend
laterally to join a posterior
root, forming a spinal nerve.
Dorsal Spinal Nerve Root It is made up of sensory
axons that connect a spinal
nerve to the dorsolateral
aspect of the spinal cord.
Dorsal Root Ganglion A collection of sensory
neuron cell bodies and
supporting cells found along
the posterior root of a spinal
nerve.
Gray Commissure A narrow band of gray matter
that connects the two lateral
gray masses of the spinal
cord.
Central Canal It is a small space at the
center if the gray commissure
It connects to the nerves that
supply the lower limbs.
It gives rise to spinal nerves,
which innervate the lower
limbs, pelvis, and perineum
as well as providing
parasympathetic innervation
to the pelvic viscera.
Same goes with the
medullary cone, it also gives
rise to spinal nerves, which
innervate the lower limbs,
pelvis, and perineum as well
as providing parasympathetic
innervation to the pelvic
viscera.
It carries data that is intended
to control motor or glandular
function.
It contains sensory axons
that send signals to the CNS.
It is responsible for relaying
sensory nerve impulses from
the periphery to the
peripheral nervous system.
It envelops the spinal cord's
central canal and connects
the anterior and dorsal horns
of gray matter in each half of
the cord.
It carries cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF) from the brain's
 which extends the entire
length of the spinal cord and
is filled with the cerebrospinal
fluid.
Gray Horns The anterior (ventral) gray
 Anterior horns contain somatic motor
 Lateral nuclei, which are clusters of
 Posterior cell bodies of somatic motor
neurons
The lateral gray horns are
located between the anterior
and posterior gray horns that
are present only in thoracic
and upper lumbar segments
of the spinal cord.
The posterior (dorsal) gray
horns contain axons of
incoming sensory neurons as
well as cell bodies and
axons of interneurons.
White Columns Anterior - is a group of nerve
 Anterior fibers that cross the spinal
 Lateral cord's midline.
 Posterior
Lateral - it includes axons
that travel from the cerebral
cortex to contact spinal motor
neurons.
Posterior - It has ascending
sensory pathways that carry
tactile sensations and
proprioception information.
Spinal Nerves Cervical - is formed by the
 Cervical roots (anterior rami) of the
 Thoracic first four cervical nerves (C1–
 Lumbar C4), with contributions from
 Sacral C5.
 Coccygeal
Thoracic - the roots (anterior
ventricular system.
The anterior or ventral gray
horns provide nerve impulses
for the contraction of skeletal
muscles.
The lateral gray horns
regulate the activity of
cardiac muscle, smooth
muscle, and glands.
The posterior gray horns are
solely responsible for sensory
processing.
Anterior transmit data from or
to the brain's contralateral
side.
Lateral travel from the
cerebral cortex to contact
spinal motor neurons.
Posterior carry sensory
information from
mechanoreceptors (cells that
respond to mechanical
pressure or distortion)
Cervical supply the skin and
muscles of the head, neck,
and upper part of the
shoulders; they connect with
some cranial nerves and
innervate the diaphragm
Thoracic supply the upper
 rami) of spinal nerves C5–C8 limbs and several neck and
and T1 form the brachial shoulder muscles.
plexus.

Lumbar - the roots (anterior Lumbar supply the

rami) of spinal nerves L1–L4 anterolateral abdominal wall,
form the lumbar plexus. external genitals, and part of
the lower limbs.

Sacral - the roots (anterior

Sacral supply the buttocks,
rami) of spinal nerves L1–L5
perineum, and part of the
and S1–S4 form the sacral lower limbs
plexus.

Coccygeal - the roots

(anterior rami) of the spinal Coccygeal supply the skin of
nerves S4–S5 and the coccygeal region
coccygeal nerves form the
coccygeal plexus

Ventral Ramus of Spinal It nourishes the ventral trunk
Nerve and limbs through the
ventrolateral surface
Dorsal Ramus of Spinal It nourishes the deep back
Nerve muscles and skin of the
posterior aspect of the thorax
It transports sensory and
motor fibers that innervate
the muscles, joints, and skin
of the lateral and ventral body
walls, as well as the
extremities.
It transmits data that provides
muscle and skin sensation to
the human back.

3. Explicitly describe how the nervous system work. Cite your references.

The nervous system is one of the smallest and yet deemed the most complex of the 11 body
systems. It works by sending signals or messages throughout the body through an intricate
network of billions of specialized cells called neurons. These electrical signals travel
between the nervous system's two main divisions: the central nervous system, which
includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, which includes many
nerves that branch out from the CNS all over the body and is further subdivided into the
somatic nervous system, which guides voluntary movements, and the autonomic nervous
system, which regulates involuntary physiologic processes including heart rate, blood
pressure, respiration, digestion, and sexual arousal. Different sorts of neurons convey
different signals. Motor neurons direct muscle movement, while sensory neurons receive
information from the senses and transmit it to the brain. Consequently, this complex system
 is the command center for your body, as it regulates the body's systems while allowing us to
experience the environment. 

References:
 Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. H. (2018). Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (15th
ed.). Wiley.
 University of Mississippi. (n.d.). Retrieved November 1, 2022, from
https://olemiss.edu/courses/bisc206/Nerve1.html
 Nervous System: What it is, Types, Symptoms. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved
November 2, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21202-nervous-
system
 Biga, L. M. (2019, September 26). 14.4 The Spinal Cord – Anatomy & Physiology.
Pressbooks. https://open.oregonstate.education/aandp/chapter/14-4-the-spinal-cord/