1. Central Nervous System Organization of the Central nervous system: L1 Faisal I. Mohammed, MD, PhD. 1

3. Objectives:  Students should be able to:  Give an overview of the nervous system function  Compare the nervous and endocrine system  List the parts of the CNS  List the divisions of CNS  Describe the general structure of the functional unit of the CNS  Give and overview of the spinal cord structure 3

4. Overview of the Nervous System  The nervous system, along with the endocrine system, helps to keep controlled conditions within limits that maintain health and helps to maintain homeostasis.  The nervous system is responsible for all our behaviors, memories, and movements.  The branch of medical science that deals with the normal functioning and disorders of the nervous system is called neurology. 4

5. Comparison between Nervous and Endocrine Control System  Nervous system is fast compared to endocrine  Nervous system uses Action Potentials compared to chemicals (Hormones) the endocrine system uses  Nervous system have low gain compared to very high gain for the Endocrine system  Nervous system acts on the effectors (skeletal muscle or glands) but endocrine acts on the metabolic pathways 5

6. Functions of Nervous System  Sensory function: to sense changes in the internal and external environment through sensory receptors.  Sensory (afferent) neurons serve this function.  Integrative function: to analyze the sensory information, store some aspects, and make decisions regarding appropriate behaviors.  Association or interneurons serve this function.  Motor function is to respond to stimuli by initiating action.  Motor(efferent) neurons serve this function. 6

7. Central Nervous System compared to Computer system 7

8. Somatosensory Axis of the Nervous System 8

9. Skeletal Motor Nerve Axis of the Nervous System 9

10. Nervous System Divisions  Central nervous system (CNS)  consists of the brain and spinal cord  Peripheral nervous system (PNS)  consists of cranial and spinal nerves that contain both sensory and motor fibers  connects CNS to muscles, glands & all sensory receptors 10

11. Functional Unit (Neuron) 11

12. Organization of the Nervous System 12

13. The Spinal Cord and Spinal Nerves 13

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15. Spinal Cord Anatomy  Protective structures:  Vertebral column and the meninges protect the spinal cord and provide physical stability.  a. Dura mater –outer layer  b. Arachnoid – middle layer  c. Pia mater – inner most layer  Epidural space, subdural space and  Subarachnoid space – cerebrospinal fluid runs through this space 15

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17. THANK YOU