Nervous System

Qurat ul aain
nervous system
Functions of the Nervous System
 Communication and coordination
 Adapt and respond to changes from
both inside and outside the body
 2. Site of reasoning- The Brain
 3. Two main divisions
 Central nervous system (CNS): brain
and spinal cord
 Peripheral nervous system- the nerves
Basic nerve cell structure
3 main types of nerve cells

sensory relay motor

neurone neurone neurone
 Sensory neurons

Carries impulses from receptors e.g pain

receptors in skin to the CNS( brain or spinal
cord)
 Relay neuron

Carries impulses from sensory nerves to

motor nerves.
 Motor neuron

Carries impulses from CNS to effector e.g.

muscle to bring about movement or gland to
bring about secretion of hormone e.g ADH
Transmission of signals
 The Synapse

parkinson

parkinsons
Neurotransmitters
 The axon’s knoblike terminals
release chemical messengers, called
neurotransmitters, into the
synaptic gap.
Central nervous system
 Brain and spinal cord
Cerebrum
 Cerebrum-largest part of brain.
Responsible for reasoning,
thought, memory, speech,
sensation, etc.
 Divided into two halves.
 Further divided into lobes;
occipital, parietal, temporal and
frontal
Cerebellum
 Cerebellum-responsible for
muscle coordination

 Brain stem- most basic

functions; respiration,
swallowing, blood pressure.
Lower part (medulla oblongata)
is continuous with spinal cord
Spinal cord-
 Spinal cord- begins at foramen
magnum and ends at second
lumbar vertebrae

 Contains both afferent (to the

brain) and efferent (motor
neurons- away from the brain)
 Both the brain and spinal cord are
covered by a membrane system
called the meninges
 In addition, the brain has four
hollow areas called ventricles.
Cerebrospinal fluid is produced in
the ventricles and baths the brain
and spinal column
Peripheral nervous system
 Somatic system
 12 pairs cranial nerves
 31 pairs spinal nerves

 Autonomic
 Sympathetic
 Fight or flight
 Parasympathetic
Disorders of the nervous system
 Meningitis- inflammation of the
linings of the brain and spinal cord
 Encephalitis- inflammation of the
brain
 Epilepsy-seizure disorder. Excessive
discharge from neurons. 1 in 200
suffer. Grand mal or petit mal
seizures
 Cerebral palsy- disturbance in
voluntary muscular action
 Parkinson’s –decreased
neurotransmitter
 MS multiple sclerosis- autoimmune