Peripheral Nervous System Department of Biology, WCU
Introduction Composition receptors peripheral nerves
Spinal nerves Location 31 pairs 8 cervical nerves 7 vertebrae Supplies all except head and neck
Formation Dorsal root: sensory afferent Ventral root: motor efferent Length varies Rootlets Dorsal and ventral ramus
Innervation of the body 1. Back dorsal rami Innervate thoracis, lattisimus dorsi, rhomboid etc.
Innervation of the body 2. Abdomen ventral rami branch into intercostal nerve intercostal muscles abdominal muscles skin
Plexuses Lateral network of nerves Except T2 - T12 Regions cervical brachial lumbar sacral
Plexuses 1. Cervical under sternoceidomastoid C1 – C5 (common) subcutaneous nerves phrenic nerve
Plexuses 2. Brachial C5 - C8, T1 innervate upper limb organization roots, trunks, divisions, cords
Plexuses 3. Lumbar L1 - L4 Muscles Proximal: abdomen Distal: anterior and medial thigh, skin of leg
Plexuses 4. Sacral L4 (common) - S4 Muscles Sciatic nerve buttocks, lower limb, pelvis genitals Sciatic nerve hamstrings, adductor magnus, toes
Cranial nerves 12 pairs Numbering system Forebrain (I & II), brain stem (III-XII) Supply head and neck (vagus) Naming olfactory optic facial trigeminal
Sensory receptors Sensory function Types Exteroceptors (touch, temperature) Interoceptors (pH, temperature, heart rate)
Sensory receptors Proprioceptors (muscle stretch) skeletal muscle, joints, tendons, CT
Sensory receptors Distribution 1. Free dendritic endings naked dendrites Merkel discs root hair plexus
Sensory receptors 2. Encapsulated dendritic endings Types enclosed in CT capsule Types Pacinian Corpuscle Meissner’s Corpuscle Muscle spindle