CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

(CNS)
PREPARED BY
MR. SUMAN DUTTA
ASSISTANT
PROFESSOR
BENGAL SCHOOL OF
TECHNOLOGY
(A COLLEGE OF
PHARMACY)
 CNS (Central Nervous System)
The central nervous system (CNS) is the part of the nervous system consisting primarily of the brain
and spinal Cord.
Brain
CNS
Spinal cord
The Central nervous System is responsible for integrating sensory information and respond
accordingly.

Meninges
It is the covering of the brain
• Nervous tissue is not a sturdy tissue even moderate pressure can kill nerve cells, so it is
surrounded by three fluid containing membrane called meninges. It provide protection and
support to the CNS .
• Then meninges surrounded by bone
• The spinal meninges from form tube like covering around the spinal cord and line the bony
vertebral foramen of the vertbrae that surrounded the cord.
• it contains three layers-
1. Dura matter (outermost layer)
2. Arachnoid matter (Middle layer)
3. Pia matter (Innermost layer)
1. Dura matter which is the tough outer layer thatlines the vertebral canal which
is just below the skull.
2. Pia mater the innermost layer which is connect on the cerebrum
3. Archnoid mater is present between the Dura mater and Pia mater.
• There are subdural space between the Dura mater and Archnoid mater and
subarchnoid space present between Archnoid mater and Pia mater
• Sub-Arachnoid space have spidery like structure and it contain fluid called CSF
(cerebrospinal fluid)
• SO, Meninges is present between then bony structure to the nervous tissue
structure.
 Ventricles of brain and cerebro Spinal fluid (CSF)

A. Ventricles:-

• Most part of the brain is hollow and from inside and various cavities are called ventricles. And
production and circulation of CSF Cerebrospinal fluid) takes place in ventricles.
• So these cavities are filled up with CSF
• The Lining of ventricles are made up with ependymal cells which is glial cells.
• Ependymal cell and Capillaries together form a choroid plexus which is responsible for the
production of CSF
• There are four ventricles in brain. The largest ventricles are those which are present in the
cerebrum, two of them which are placed in the form of lateral verticles as on in each hemisphere.
• The ventricles lying in the middle of diencephalon is a tubular space called the third ventricles.
which is connected on one side with a lateral ventricles via a narrow passage called
interventicular foramen or foramen of monro .While on the other end it conttinues into the fourth
ventricles through cerebral aqueduct which is present between brain stem and cerebellum.
 Ventricles of
Brain
B. CSF(Cerebrospinal fluid)-
It is a colorless and clear liquid whuich occupies the cavities of the brain and spinal cordwhich is secrete
by the choroid plexus.
• Composition- It contains water ,glucose,creatine, electrolytes such as chlorides of calcium ,
sodium,and potassium.
• It is aproximately 180 ml in adults
• It is present in brain and spinal cord
• Function- It is meant for acting as a cushion against shocks or jerks and also a medium for the
movement of nutrients, metabolic waste and exchange of respiratory gases
• It provides mechanical and chemical protection and circullation of nutrients
• It also maintain homeostatic balance.

 Circulation of CSF- The CSF formed in the choroid plexus of each lateral ventricle and
then flow into the third ventricles through foramen of Monro. Third ventricle also produce CSF
which mix with CSF whose come from lateral ventricle then all flow into fourth ventricle through
cerebral aqueduct. The choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle contribute more fluid.
• then CSF enters the subarachnoid space through three opening in the roof of the fourth
ventricles.CSF then circulate in the central of the spinal cord in the subarchnoid space around
the surface of the brain and spinal cord.
• CSF is generally reabsorbed into the blood through archnoid villi then it goes into heart and lungs
and then if required reabsorbed by choroid plexus through arterial blood.
 BRAIN

Brain is a organ of soft nervous tissue contained in the skull of vertebrates,functioning as

the coordinating centre of the body.

• it is one of the largest organs in the body and coordinates most body activities.
• It is the centre for all thougtht, memory,judgementand emotions.
• each part of the brain is responsible for controlling different body finction such as
tempereture regulationand breathing.
• the brain is contained in skulland weight 1300-1400gm
• Made up of 1000billion neuron ,7each neuron is surrounded byn about 10 glial cells.
• neurons cannot mutiply and many neuros are losteverydayin life but glial cell can
multiply.
• Brain is also covered by meninges
 Cerebrum-
It is the largest section of the brain and it is located in the upper portion of the brain
• The outermost layer of the cerebral is made up of grey matter and this is 2-4 mm thick and it is
called ‘cerebral cortex’. It contains millions of neuron.
• During embryonic development the brain size increases rapidly, the grey matter of the cortex
enlarges much faster than deeper white matter so as result cortical region roles and folds upon
itself.
1. The folds are called ‘gyri’ or ‘convolutions’.
2. The deepest grooves between the folds are called ‘fissures’.
3. The shallow grooves between folds are called ‘sulci’.
• The most prominent fissure, the longitudinal fissure, separates the cerebrum into right and left
halves called cerebral hemisphere. Each hemisphere has four lobes.
• Both right and left hemisphere are connected by a bridge of nerve fibre that relay (share)
information between two hemisphere ‘corpus callosum’.
• Left hemisphere controls right of the body
• Right hemisphere controls lift side of the body.
A. Frontal lobe- Most anterior portion of the cerebrum (under forehead) ‘Central sulcus’
separates frontal and parietal lobe.
• Control motor function, personality and speech.
• Like centre of reasoning, planning some parts of speech, movement, emotions, problem
solving.
• Also called ‘ motor cortex’.
B. Parietal lobe- the most superior portion of the cerebrum (top of the head), Eid receive and
interpret nerve impulses from sensory receptors and interprets language.
• It received sensory input from the skin (touch pressure, temperature and pain)
• Also called ‘sensory cortex’.
C. Occipital lobe- the most posterior portion of the cerebrum (back of the head). Eat receive
input from the eyes and control visions.
• Also called as “visual cortex”.
D. Temporal lobe- the left and write lateral portion of the cerebrum (the above side of ears)
• It controls hearing and smell.
• Also called “Auditory cortex”
function of cerebrum-
1. Motor functions like control of voluntary movement
2. Sensory functions like perception of pain, temperature, touch, pressure , hearing,taste and
smell
3. Control of intelligence, speech, memory and learning etc
 Cerebellum –
It is the second largest portion of the brain.
• It located beneath the posterior part of the cerebrum.
• a deep groove known as “Transverse fissure” separate cerebrum to cerebellum.
• Aids in coordinating voluntary body movements and maintaining balance and equilibrium.
Structure-
The external surface called cerebellar cortex look like butterfly and lateral wings or lobes called
cerebellar hemisphere that is interconnected by a narrow portion called vermis.
• It contain 10% weight of entire brain and 50% of neurones.
1.Anterior lobe and 2.Posterior lobe both regulate skeleton muscle movement.
3.Flocculonodular lobe on the inferir surface maintain equilibrium and balance.
 1. Superior cerebellar peduncle:- it is a
paired structure that connects the
cerebellum to the midbrain

Cerebellar peduncles:- 3 paired

attach the cerebellum to brain stem.
This bundles of white matter consist 2. Middle cerebellar peduncle:- It
of axon that conduct impulse connects cerebellum to pons
between the cerebellum and other
parts of brain.

3. Inferior cerebellar peduncles:- it is a

thick rope like stand that occupies the
upper part of the posterior district of
medulla oblongata
• Function of cerebellum:-
1. Co-ordinate contractions of skeletal muscles
2. Regulate posture and balance
3. May play a role in learning from experiences and language processing.

Brain Stem:-
superiorly continuous with diencephalon and inferiorly continuous with spinal cord.

It consist of

4. Midbrain

5. Pons

6. Medula oblongata
1. Midbrain – it is located below the cerebral cortex and about 2.5 cm long.
– It act as a pathway for impulses to be conducted between the brain and spinal cord.
– Screening of information before it reach high brain structure

– It control reflex movement of the body and hearing reflexes.

2. Pons- It means bridge connects the cerebellum to the rest of the brain and it is located
above medula oblongata and below midbrain.
– It controls sleep as well as the rate and pattern of breathing.

3. Medulla oblongata- it is the posterior part of the brain

– It controls autonomic actions of our body such as breathing, heart rate, swallowing, blood circulation.
 Diencephalon:-
Posterior part of the forebrain that connects the midbrain with the cerebral hemisphere
1. Thalamus-it is located above the brain stem and between the cerebral cortex and
midbrain.
It carries sensory information from the body to cerebrum and the limbic system.
2.Hypothalamus- It lies under the thalamus.
It connects the nervous system with endocrine system via pituitary gland.
3. Pituitary gland- It is pea-shaped structure and it is very important in growth and
reproduction.It also maintain other hormone and gland.
4. Epithalamus and pineal gland- Epithalamus is a small region superior and posterior to the
thalamus and it consists of pineal gland.
Pineal gland work as biological watch for our body which control or maintains our rhythm.
• SPINAL CORD
The spinal cord is the pathway for sensory input to the brain and motor output from the brain.
Two types of connective tissue coverings-bony vertebrae and tough, connective tissue meninges
plus a cushion of cerebrospinal fluid (produced in the brain) surround and protect the delicate
nervous tissue of the spinal cord. The spinal cord is located within the vertebral canal of the
vertebral columnThe most superficial of the three spinal meninges, the dura mater (tough), is
composed of dense, irregular connective tissue. The spinal cord is also protected by a cushion of
fat and connective tissue located in the epidural space, a space between the dura mater and the
wall of the vertebral canal. The middle menins (singular form of meninges) is an avascular
covering called the arachnoid mater. The innermost meninx is the pia mater (pia-delicate), a thin
transparent connective tissue layer that adheres to the surface of the spinal cord and
brain.Triangular-shaped membranous extensions of the pia mater suspend the spinal cord in the
middle of its dural sheath
• External Anatomy of the Spinal Cord

The spinal cord, although roughly cylindrical, is flattened slightly anteriorly and posteriorly. In
adults, it extends from the medulla oblongata, the inferior part of the brain, to the superior border of
the second lumbar vertebra. The spinal cord ends around the second lumbar vertebra (L2);
however, the spinal meninges extend to the second sacral vertebra (S2). Between vertebrae L2
and S2 the spinal meninges are present, but the spinal cord is absent. The length of the adult
spinal cord ranges from 42 to 45 cm.(16-18 in.). Its diameter is about 2 cm (0.75 in.) in the
midthoracic region, somewhat larger in the lower cervical and midlumbar regions, and smallest at
the inferior tip.
• Internal Anatomy of the Spinal Cord

A freshly dissected section of the spinal cord reveals regions of white matter that
surround an inner core of gray matter. The white matter of the spinal cord consists
primarily of bundles of myelinated axons of neurons. The gray matter of the spinal
cord is shaped like the letter H or a butterfly; it consists of dendrites and cell bodies
of neurons, unmyelinated axons, and neuroglia. The gray commissure forms the
crossbar of the H. In the center of the gray commissure is a small space called the
central canal; it extends the entire length of the spinal cord and is filled with
cerebrospinal fluid. ReplyForward