Neurological System Flashcards
Major Division of Nervous System
Central nervous system (CNS)
a) Brain
b) Spinal cord
And
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Composed of
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Further divided into..
a) Sympathetic nervous system
b) Parasympathetic nervous system
What is a neuron and describe the 2 types
Basic unit of the nervous system
Transmits impulses (“messages”)
>Motor neurons (efferent): Carry impulses from CNS to PNS
> Sensory neurons (afferent): Carry impulses from PNS towards CNS
Axons can be covered by myelin sheath
> White fat/lipid covering = white matter
> Non-myelinated axons = gray matter
3 Main Areas of Brain and basic function
Forebrain: largest portion and and most advanced in function
> further broke down into diencephalon (thalamus, subthalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus), cerebrum, and cerebral cortex
Cerebellum: voluntary/involuntary muscle coordination
Brainstem: vital functions (RR, HR, BP)
Diencephalon function and components
Thalamus, subthalamus, hypothalamus, pineal gland (epithalamus)
Regulates hormones and metabolic function
Cerebrum function and components
Largest
Divided into 2 hemispheres
Control muscle functions and also control speech, thought, emotions, reading, writing, and learning.
Cerebral cortex function and components
Grey matter of cerebrum
Highest function: thought/information processing
Composed of frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes
Frontal lobe function
voluntary movement, expressive language and for managing higher level executive functions. Executive functions refer to a collection of cognitive skills including the capacity to plan, organise, initiate, self-monitor and control one’s responses in order to achieve a goal.
Parietal lobe function
receiving and processing sensory input such as touch, pressure, heat, cold, and pain
Occipital lobe function
visuospatial processing, distance and depth perception, color determination, object and face recognition, and memory formation.
Temporal lobe function
processing auditory information and with the encoding of memory. The temporal lobes are also believed to play an important role in processing affect/emotions, language, and certain aspects of visual perception.
Function of and bones composing the skull
Formed by cranial bones:
* frontal
* ethmoid
* sphenoid
* occipital
* parietal
* temporal &
* Facial bones
Protects cranial vault contents
Overall thick (up to 6mm)
Non-flexible
> No absorptive capacity with brain movement
Internal surface of skull base: rough and irregular
> Movement within vault can cause injury within itself
Describe the layers of the meninges
Protective covering of brain & spinal cord
1. Pia mater
> Inner most layer; firmly attaches to brain and spinal cord
> Subarachnoid space: between pia and arachnoid; where CSF circulates
2. Arachnoid membrane
> Subdural space; between arachnoid and dura
> Between…
3. Dura mater
> Epidural space– between dura and skull
> Extends down spinal cord
> Adheres to skull
Where/how much CSF is produced, where does it circulate and what does it contain?
- Produced by choroid plexus in the brain ventricles
> 125-150 ml at any one time – constantly produced and reabsorbed
> About 650 ml produced every day - Circulates in subarachnoid space (beneath arachnoid membrane) and through central canal of spinal cord
- Contains water, protein, glucose**, ions (Na, Cl, K)
What substances does the blood brain barrier allow to enter?
- Oxygen
- Glucose
- CO2
- ETOH
- Anesthetics
- Water
What substances does the blood brain barrier prevent from entry?
large molecules
* albumin
* substances bound to albumin
* many drugs – antibiotics
can cause issues with certain treatments
Where arteries supply the brain?
- R/L internal carotid (anterior circulation)
- R/L vertebral arteries (posterior circulation)
The R/L internal carotid arteries branch in to
- ophthalmic: eyes
- middle (MCA): hearing + upper body motor sensory
- Anterior (ACA): lower body motor/sensory
The R/L verebral arteries branch into
The basilar artery
- occipital
- brainstem
- cerebellum
What protective mechanism exists in the blood supply in the brain in case of blockage?
Eventually these arteries: anterior, middle, and posterior arteries join form ring at base of brain
= Circle of Willis
Protective mechanism; if there is a blockage, blood can travel around circle and still perfuse (minimally)
Where are the middle meningeal arteries located + what does injury to them result in?
above dura mater
* Most superficial
* Injury: epidural hematoma
Where are the bridging veins located + what does injury to them result in?
beneath dura mater
* Injury: subdural hematoma
Where do the large arteries in the brain enter and what does injury to them result in?
enter skull in subarachnoid space
* Where carotids enter
* Injury: subarachnoid hematoma
How is blood drained from the brain?
Only source of drainage: venous blood drains via jugular veins
Something blocking the only output = backup of pressure into brain
What system controls the ANS?
Controlled by reticular system in brainstem