Anatomy and Physiology

Neurological System
All of our body systems work in conjunction with each other and none are
capable of working in isolation. The nervous system controls and coordinates the
functioning of all other systems in response to our surroundings. Each stimulus
or change in our environment is detected by our senses and messages are
interpreted by the brain that in turn, sends directions to the various organs to
respond and adapt according to the external conditions which affect our body.
The function of the Neurological ystem is to transmit and receive a constant
series of messages via electrical impulses to and from the control centre situated
in the brain. These messages are either those receiving !information! from
various body tissues via the sensory nerves, or those initiating the function of
other tissues such as organs, muscles, etc.
The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system "#N$ that
includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system "%N$
comprising cranial nerves and spinal nerves. The %N includes nerves emerging
from the brain "cranial nerves$ and nerves emerging from the spinal cord "spinal
nerves$. These nerves are divided into sensory nerves that conduct messages
from various parts of the body to the #N, whilst motor nerves conduct impulses
from the #N to muscles and glands. The %N is further divided into the omatic
ystem "N$ and Autonomic ystem "AN$, depending on the area of the body
these messages are transmitted to and from.
The Brain
The forebrain is responsible for a variety of functions including receiving
and processing sensory information, thinking, perceiving, producing and
understanding language, and controlling motor function. There are two major
divisions of forebrain& the diencephalon and the telencephalon. The
diencephalon contains structures such as the thalamus and hypothalamus
which are responsible for such functions as motor control, relaying sensory
information, and controlling autonomic functions. The telencephalon contains the
largest part of the brain, the cerebral cortex. 'ost of the actual information
processing in the brain takes place in the cerebral cortex.
The midbrain and the hindbrain together make up the brainstem. The
midbrain is the portion of the brainstem that connects the hindbrain and the
forebrain. This region of the brain is involved in auditory and visual responses as
well as motor function.
The hindbrain extends from the spinal cord and is composed of the
metencephalon and myelencephalon. The metencephalon contains structures
such as the pons and cerebellum. These regions assists in maintaining balance
and e(uilibrium, movement coordination, and the conduction of sensory
information. The myelencephalon is composed of the medulla oblongata which
is responsible for controlling such autonomic functions as breathing, heart rate,
and digestion.
%rosencephalon ) *orebrain
'esencephalon ) 'idbrain
+iencephalon
Telencephalon
,hombencephalon ) -indbrain
'etencephalon
'yelencephalon
Anatomy of the Brain: Structures
Basal Ganglia
.nvolved in cognition and voluntary movement
+iseases related to damages of this area are %arkinson/s and
-untington/s
Brainstem
,elays information between the peripheral nerves and spinal cord to the
upper parts of the brain
#onsists of the midbrain, medulla oblongata, and the pons
Broca's Area
peech production
0nderstanding language
Central Sulcus (Fissure of olando!
+eep grove that separates the parietal and frontal lobes
Cerebellum
#ontrols movement coordination
'aintains balance and e(uilibrium
Cerebral Corte"
1uter portion "2.3mm to 3mm$ of the cerebrum
,eceives and processes sensory information
+ivided into cerebral cortex lobes
Cerebral Corte" #obes
*rontal 4obes )involved with decision)making, problem solving, and
planning
1ccipital 4obes)involved with vision and color recognition
%arietal 4obes ) receives and processes sensory information
Temporal 4obes ) involved with emotional responses, memory, and
speech
Cerebrum
4argest portion of the brain
#onsists of folded bulges called gyri that create deep furrows
Cor$us Callosum
Thick band of fibers that connects the left and right brain hemispheres
Cranial Ner%es
Twelve pairs of nerves that originate in the brain, exit the skull, and lead to
the head, neck and torso
Fissure of Syl%ius (#ateral Sulcus!
+eep grove that separates the parietal and temporal lobes
#imbic System Structures
Amygdala ) involved in emotional responses, hormonal secretions, and
memory
#ingulate 5yrus ) a fold in the brain involved with sensory input
concerning emotions and the regulation of aggressive behavior
*ornix ) an arching, fibrous band of nerve fibers that connect the
hippocampus to the hypothalamus
-ippocampus ) sends memories out to the appropriate part of the cerebral
hemisphere for long)term storage and retrievs them when necessary
-ypothalamus ) directs a multitude of important functions such as body
temperature, hunger, and homeostasis
1lfactory #ortex ) receives sensory information from the olfactory bulb and
is involved in the identification of odors
Thalamus ) mass of grey matter cells that relay sensory signals to and
from the spinal cord and the cerebrum
&edulla 'blongata
4ower part of the brainstem that helps to control autonomic functions
&eninges
'embranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord
'lfactory Bulb
6ulb)shaped end of the olfactory lobe
.nvolved in the sense of smell
Pineal Gland
Endocrine gland involved in biological rhythms
ecretes the hormone melatonin
Pituitary Gland
Endocrine gland involved in homeostasis
,egulates other endocrine glands
Pons
,elays sensory information between the cerebrum and cerebellum
eticular Formation
Nerve fibers located inside the brainstem
,egulates awareness and sleep
Substantia Nigra
-elps to control voluntary movement and regualtes mood
Tectum
The dorsal region of the mesencephalon "mid brain$
Tegmentum
The ventral region of the mesencephalon "mid brain$.