1. THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Xiaoming Zhang Department of Human Anatomy
School of Medicine, Zhejiang University

2. 1. Organization of nervous system
anatomically
central nervous system:
spinal cord
brain
peripheral nervous system:
spinal nerves
cranial nerves
functionally
Somatic nervous system
Visceral nervous system

3. 2. Structure of nervous tissues
Astrocyte
Neuroglia Oligodendrocyte,
Microglia

4. Neurons (nervous cells) cell body axon (convey impulses
processes away from cell body)
dendrites (convey
impulses towards cell body)

5. Synapses: axon terminal comes into contact with other neurons
presynaptic membrane
synaptic cleft
postsynaptic membrane

6. 3. Classification:
according to number of their processes
pseudounipolar neuron
bipolar neuron
unipolar neuron
according to function:
sensory neuron
association neuron
motor neuron

7. 4.The reflex and Reflex arc
Reflexes :
are subconscious stimulus
-response mechanism
Structure of the reflex arc
The receptor
The afferent Neuron
The interneuron
The efferent Neuron
The effector

8. 5. Terminology Gray matter: collection of cell bodies
In central nervous system:
Gray matter: collection of cell bodies
Cortex: gray matter on surface of cerebrum and
cerebellum
Nucleus: collection of cell bodies with the same
shape, function
White matter: collection of nerve fibers
Medullary substance: white matter in cerebrum
and cerebellum

9. Fasciculus (nerve tract): collection of nerve
fibers with common pathway
and function
Reticular formation: fields of intermingled
nerve fibers and cell bodies
In peripheral nervous system:
Ganglion: collection of cell bodies with
common shape and function
Nerve: a bundle of nerve fibers covered by
connective tissue