ne rv ou s s ystem

the
th e br ain
PALS GATEWAY
 content

>structures of the human brain

>functions of: cerebrum, diencephalon structures, the
brainstem and cerebellum
>clinical implication of damage to specific parts of the brain
>The meninges
> the meninges in clinic
> Cerebrospinal fluid
>functions of the CSF
>ventricles of the brain
>CSF use in medicine
The nervous system
two nervous systems:

central nervous system peripheral nervous system

Context for the brain...
> the brain makes up 2% of the
body weight but:

1- uses 20% of total oxygen in the

body.

2-unlimited storage capacity.

3-can process information as fast

as 268 miles.
Anatomical subdivisions of the brain
the major subdivisions of the brain are:

1- Cerebrum (Telencephalon)

2- Diencephalon

3- Cerebellum

4- Brain stem (midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata)

The cerebrum:
> largest component of the brain
makes up about 80% of brain mass.

>divided into two parts called

cerebral hemispheres (left and right
cerebral hemispheres.

>The two hemispheres are separated

by a bundle of nerve fibres called the
corpus callosum.

> the groove between the two halves

is called the great longitudinal
fissure.

Right brained or left brained?

Left Hemisphere Right Hemisphere

>controls the: >controls the:

1- right side of the body 1- left side of the body
2-right visual field 2-left visual field

3- more creative side of the 3- more academic side of th

brain brain and where the
language centres of the
brain are.
white vs grey?
consists of
the outer grey matter
inner white matter

The surface of the cerebral

cortex, is a convoluted (folded).
The convolutions are made up of
ridge like bulges (gyri) separated
by small grooves called sulci and
larger grooves called fissures.

the blanket of the brain

The cerebral cortex is the largest part part of the brain
divided into 4 lobes:

1- frontal

2-parietal

3- temporal

4- Occipital
Localisation of brain function:
frontal:
Mortor cortex- responsible for body movement
prefrontal cortex- big boss, thicker and a problem solver
Broca's area- speech PRODUCTION
olfactory area which is responsible for smell
Parietal:
somatosensory cortex-

feelings and sensations and ability to orient yourself in 3D
Gustatory cortex- which is for taste
Temporal:
auditory processing
Wernicke’s area- language COMPREHENSION
Facial recognition
Occipital:
responsible for vision
Clinical relevance:
Wrenicke's aphasia prosopagnosia Broca's aphasia
Damage to Wernicke’s area facial blindness two types: Damage to Broca’s area on
on the temporal lobe developmental the frontal lobe
Loss of the ability to prosopagnosia – where a Prevents a person from
understand language person has prosopagnosia producing speech

Person can speak clearly without having brain Person can understand
but the words that are put damage language, but words are not
together make no sense Acquired prosopagnosia – properly formed

where a person develops Speech is slow and slurred

prosopagnosia after brain Broca's aphasia = Broken
damage, often following a speech
stroke or head injury

 Diencephalon
region that includes structures called;

> thalamus- a relay station for almost all sensory information

(with the exception of smell). Before sensory information
reaches your brain's cortex, it stops at the thalamus.

>hypothalamus-controls many
critical bodily functions

>epithalamus-sleep-wake hormone
melatonin
 The brainstem and the
cerebellum:

house for vital body functions and consists

of three sections:

1. midbrain
2. pons
3. medulla oblingata

the cerebellum is a separate structure at the

back of the brain mostly involved in
coordinating movement
Blood
supply to the brain
blood supply to the brain comes from
4 arteries that are paired together
1- 2 internal carotid arteries
2- 2 vertebral arteries

point where they meet is called circle

of willis

QUIZ TIME!!

 All the parts of the nervous system except the

brain and the spinal cord belong to the...

a. Peripheral Nervous System

b. Afferent Nerves

c. Autonomic nervous system

The ___________ connects the brain to the rest of
the body.

a. Cerebrum

b. Spinal Cord

c. Cerebrospinal Fluid

 Which part of the nervous system is

responsible for processing information

a. Cerebrum

b. Spinal Cord

c. central nervous system

 True or false: the nervous

systemis divided in to two parts

a. true

b. false

what are the anterior arteries

that supply the brain called?

a. vertebral arteries

b. common carotid arteries

d. brachiocephalic trunck
How do we keep out brains safe?

Physical protection: the skull

and vertebrae+ skin

tissue protection: Meningies

Hydromechanical protection:
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

The Meninges:
The meninges refer to the
membranous coverings of the brain
and spinal cord.

There are three layers of meninges:

1- Dura mater- exterior outer layer

2- Arachnoid mater- contains the

vasculature that supplies the brain

3- Pia mater- basically stuck to the

brain
 clinical look on things that can go wrong with the
meninges:
Meningitis is an infection of the meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord

it can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and
young adults.

It can cause life-threatening blood poisoning (sepsis)

symptoms include: a high temperature (fever), being sick,

a headache, a rash, a stiff neck, a dislike of bright lights,
drowsiness or unresponsiveness and seizures (fits).

treated with antibiotics and there are vaccinations

available to prevent it.
CSF (cerebrospinal fluid):
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, watery fluid that surrounds the brain and the
spinal cord. It is an ultrafiltrate of blood plasma
Ventricles of the brain;
The ventricles of the brain are 4 communicating network of cavities filled
with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and located within the brain tissue.
functions of the CSF:
Buoyancy – reducing the weight of brain.

Protection – shock absorber preventing damage caused by

the brain hitting the skull.

Homeostasis – regulates the distribution of metabolites

surrounding the brain, keeping the external environment
stable.

Clearing waste – waste products produced by the brain

cells are excreted into the CSF, which then drains into the
bloodstream.
 Clinical use for the CSF:

in aiding
Lumbar puncture- used
different diagnosis:

infectious disease: meningitis and

encephalitis

Autoimmune disorders: Guillain-

Barré Syndrome and multiple
sclerosis (MS)

Bleeding in the brain

Brain tumours
QUIZ TIME!!!!!!

Which of the following is the correct sequence of the

layers of meningeal membranes beginning with the
brain and going to the skull?

mater, dura mater
A- pia mater, arachnoid

B- pia mater, arachnoid mater, dura mater

c- dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater

The main anatomical structure which produces CSF is

called the ……..…

A- cerebral cortex

B-choroid plexus

C- foramen of manroe

Cerebrospinal fluid circulates around the brain between

the ………..

A) dura mater and arachnoid mater.

B) arachnoid and pia maters.

C) pia mater and brain surface.

True or false: is Zee the best pals teacher?

A- true

B- true but in italics