NERVOUS SYSTEM

NERVOUS SYSTEM

The nervous system is a complex network of

nerves and cells that carry messages to and
from the brain and spinal cord to various
parts of the body.
The nervous system transmits signals
between the brain and the rest of the body,
including internal organs. In this way, the
nervous system’s activity controls the ability
to move, breathe, see, think, and more.
 NERVOUS SYSTEM

The basic unit of the nervous system is a nerve cell,

or neuron.
The human brain contains about 100 billion
neurons.
A neuron has a cell body, which includes the cell
nucleus, and special extensions called axons
and dendrites. Bundles of axons,
called nerves, are found throughout the body.
Axons and dendrites allow neurons to communicate,
even across long distances.
NEURON
 NERVOUS SYSTEM

The nervous system has two main parts:

-The central nervous system is made up of
the brain and spinal cord.
-The peripheral nervous system is made up
of nerves that branch off from the spinal cord and
extend to all parts of the body.
CENTRAL
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
 CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord.

The brain is the most complex organ in the body
and uses 20 percent of the total oxygen we breathe
in.
The brain consists of an estimated 100 billion
neurons, with each connected to thousands more.
The brain can be divided into four main lobes:
temporal, parietal, occipital and frontal.
 BRAIN

The brain is the most complex organ in the human

body; the cerebral cortex (the outermost part of the
brain and the largest part by volume) contains an
estimated 15–33 billion neurons, each of which is
connected to thousands of other neurons.
The brain is the central control module of the body
and coordinates activity. From physical motion to
the secretion of hormones, the creation of memories,
and the sensation of emotion.
 BRAIN

FRONTAL LOBE
PARIETAL LOBE

TEMPORAL LOBE OCCIPITAL LOBE

FOUR LOBES OF A BRAIN

 BRAIN

The frontal lobe is located at the front of

the brain and is associated with reasoning,
motor skills, higher level cognition, and
expressive language. Damage to the frontal
lobe can lead to changes in sexual habits,
socialization, and attention as well as
increased risk-taking.
 BRAIN

The parietal lobe is located in the middle section

of the brain and is associated with processing tactile
sensory information such as pressure, touch, and
pain. A portion of the brain known as the
somatosensory cortex is located in this lobe and is
essential to the processing of the body's senses. 
 BRAIN

The temporal lobe is located on the bottom section

of the brain. This lobe is also the location of the
primary auditory cortex, which is important for
interpreting sounds and the language we hear.
The hippocampus is also located in the temporal
lobe, which is why this portion of the brain is also
heavily associated with the formation of memories.
Damage to the temporal lobe can lead to problems
with memory, speech perception, and language
skills.
 BRAIN

The occipital lobe is located at the back portion of

the brain and is associated with interpreting visual
stimuli and information. The primary visual cortex,
which receives and interprets information from the
retinas of the eyes, is located in the occipital lobe.
Damage to this lobe can cause visual problems such
as difficulty recognizing objects, an inability to
identify colors, and trouble recognizing words.
 BRAIN REGIONS

 Cerebellum: mostly involved in precise motor control, but also

in language and attention. If the cerebellum is damaged, the
primary symptom is disrupted motor control, known as ataxia.
 Broca's area: this small area on the left side of the brain
(sometimes on the right in left-handed individuals) is important
in language processing. When damaged, an individual finds it
difficult to speak but can still understand speech. Stuttering
is sometimes associated with an underactive Broca's area.
 Corpus callosum: a broad band of nerve fibers that join the
left and right hemispheres. It is the largest white matter structure
in the brain and allows the two hemispheres to
communicate. Dyslexic children have smaller corpus callosums;
left-handed people, ambidextrous people, and musicians
typically have larger ones.
 BRAIN REGIONS

 Medulla oblongata: extending below the skull, it is involved in

involuntary functions, such as vomiting, breathing, sneezing, and
maintaining the correct blood pressure.
 Hypothalamus: sitting just above the brain stem and roughly
the size of an almond, the hypothalamus secretes a number of
neurohormones and influences body temperature control, thirst,
and hunger.
 Thalamus: positioned in the center of the brain, the thalamus
receives sensory and motor ianput and relays it to the rest of the
cerebral cortex. It is involved in the regulation of consciousness,
sleep, awareness, and alertness.
 Amygdala: two almond-shaped nuclei deep within the temporal
lobe. They are involved in decision-making, memory, and
emotional responses; particularly negative emotions.
 SPINAL CORD

The spinal cord, running almost the full length of the

back, carries information between the brain and
body, but also carries out other tasks.
From the brainstem, where the spinal cord meets the
brain, 31 spinal nerves enter the cord.
Along its length, it connects with the nerves of the
peripheral nervous system (PNS) that run in from
the skin, muscles, and joints.
 SPINAL CORD

Motor commands from the brain travel from the

spine to the muscles and sensory information travels
from the sensory tissues — such as the skin — toward
the spinal cord and finally up to the brain.
The spinal cord contains circuits that control certain
reflexive responses, such as the involuntary
movement your arm might make if your finger was
to touch a flame.
 SPINAL CORD

The circuits within the spine can also generate more

complex movements such as walking. Even without
input from the brain, the spinal nerves can
coordinate all of the muscles necessary to walk. For
instance, if the brain of a cat is separated from its
spine so that its brain has no contact with its body, it
will start spontaneously walking when placed on a
treadmill. The brain is only required to stop and start
the process, or make changes if, for instance, an
object appears in your path.
 SPINAL CORD STRUCTURES

The overall structure of the spinal cord is enclosed by

the protection of the vertebral column. The spinal
nerves are located in the spaces between the arches
of the vertebrae. Spinal nerves are divided into these
separate regions:
Cervical (neck)
Thoracic (chest)
Lumbar (abdominal)
Sacral (pelvic)
Coccygeal (tailbone)
SPINAL CORD
PERIPHERAL
NERVOUS
SYSTEM
 PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

The PNS consists of:
-sensory neurons running from
stimulus receptors that inform the CNS of the
stimuli
-motor neurons running from the CNS to
the muscles and glands - called effectors - that
take action.
Subdivided into two:
-Sensory-somatic nervous system
-Autonomic nervous system
 SENSORY-SOMATIC SYSTEM

The sensory-somatic system consists of12 pairs

of cranial nerves and
31 pairs of spinal nerves.
All of the spinal nerves are "mixed"; that is, they
contain both sensory and motor neurons All our
conscious awareness of the external environment
and all our motor activity to cope with it operate
through the sensory-somatic division of the PNS.
 AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Consists of sensory neurons and motor neurons that

run between the central nervous system (especially
the hypothalamus and medulla oblongata) and
various internal organs such as heart, Lungs, glands
It is responsible for monitoring conditions in the
internal environment and bringing about
appropriate changes in them. The contraction of
both smooth muscle and cardiac muscle is controlled
by motor neurons of the autonomic system. 
Has symphathetic and parasymphatetic division.
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM FUNCTION

Blood pressure
Heart and breathing rates
Body temperature
Digestion
Metabolism (thus affecting body weight)
The balance of water and electrolytes (such as sodium and
calcium)
The production of body fluids (saliva, sweat, and tears)
Urination
Defecation
Sexual response
 AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM FUNCTION

Many organs are controlled primarily by either the

sympathetic or the parasympathetic division.
Sometimes the two divisions have opposite effects on
the same organ. For example, the sympathetic
division increases blood pressure, and the
parasympathetic division decreases it. Overall, the
two divisions work together to ensure that the body
responds appropriately to different situations
 FUN FACTS

The average length of the spinal cord measures to

about 19 inches, but holds 10 million neurons
 In reality, brain control is opposite of what is
typically thought
 The messages in the nervous system are conducted
and transmitted at an incredible rate
Only a small part of the brain is active
. As we grow, our brain shrinks
 REFERENCES

 https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-the-Nervous-System.aspx
 https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/neuro/conditioninfo/parts
 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/307076.php
 https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology2/chapter/neurons/
 https://www.verywellmind.com/the-anatomy-of-the-brain-2794895
 http://www.biology-pages.info/P/PNS.html
 https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/autonomi
c-nervous-system-disorders/overview-of-the-autonomic-nervous-system