PRACTICAL-2
AIM: To study the structure and function of the various nervous system using the specimen and
models etc.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Model of central nervous system.
2. Chart of central nervous system.
INTRODUCTION:
A. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord.
B. The peripheral nervous system consisting of:
1. 31 pairs of spinal nerves.
2. 12 pairs of the nerves.
3. Autonomic nervous system.
The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord.
1. Brain consists of;
I. Cerebrum
II. Mid brain
III. Pons varoli
IV. Medulla oblongata
V. Cerebellum
2.Spinal cord:
It is defined as the nervous tissue linked between the brain and the peripheral organs of the
body.
The nervous system detects and responds to the changes inside and outside the body.
Together with the endocrine system it controls important aspects of body functions and
maintains homeostatics. Nervous system stimulation provides an immediate response while
endocrine activity is, in the main, slower and more prolonged. The nervous system consists of
the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Organization of the nervous tissue within the body
enables rapid communication between different parts of the body. Response to changes in the
internal environment maintains homeostasis and regulates involuntary functions, eg. Blood
pressure and digestive activity. Response to changes in external environment maintains pressure
and other voluntary activities.
Cerebrum:
This is the largest part of the brain and it occupies the anterior and middle cranial fossae. It is
divided by the deep cleft, the longitudinal cerebral fissure, into right and left cerebral
hemispheres, each containing one of the lateral ventricles. Deep within the brain the hemispheres
are connected by the mass of the white matter called the corpus callosam. The flax cerebri is
formed by the dura matter. It separates the two hemispheres and penetrates to the depth of the
corpous callosam. The superficial part of the cerebrum is composed of the nerve cell bodies or
the grey matter. The cerebral cortex shows the infoldings or furrows of the varying depth. The
exposed areas of the folds are gyri or the convolutions and these are separated by sulci or fissure.
These convolutions greatly increase the surface area of the cerebrum. For the descriptive
purposes each hemispheres of the cerebrum is divided into lobes which takes the names of the
bones of the cranium under which they lie:
1. Frontal
2. Parietal
3. Temporal
4. Occipital
The boundaries of the lobes are marked by deep sulci. These are the central, lateral, Prieto-
occipital sulci.
Functions of the cerebrum:
There are three main varieties associated with the activity associated with the cerebral cortex:
Mental activities involved in the memory, intelligence, sense of responsibility, thinking,
reasoning, moral sense and learning are attributed to higher center.
Sensory perception, including the perception of pain, temperature, touch, sight, hearing,
taste and smell.
Initiation and control of skeletal muscle contraction.
Brain stem:
Midbrain:
The midbrain is the area of the brain situated around the cerebral aqueduct between the
cerebrum above the pons below. It consists of the groups of the cell bodies and nerve fibers
which connect the cerebrum with the lower parts of the brain and with the spinal cord. The cell
bodies act as the relay stations for the ascending and descending nerve fibers.
Pons:
The pons is situated in front of the cerebellum, below the mid brain and above the medulla
oblongata. It consists mainly of nerve fibers which forms the bridge between the two
hemispheres of the cerebellum, and of fibers passing between the higher levels of the brain and
the spinal cord. There are groups of the cells within the pons which acts as the relay stations and
some of these are associated with the cranial nerves. The anatomical structure of the pons differs
from that of the cerebrum in that the cell bodies lie deeply and the nerve fibers are on the surface.
Medulla oblongata:
The medulla oblongata extends from the pons above and is continuous with the spinal cord
below. It is about 2.5 cm long and it lies just within the cranium about the foramen magnum. Its
anterior and posterior surfaces are marked by the central fissures. The outer aspect is composed
of white matter which passes between the brain and the spinal cord, and the grey matter lies
centrally. Some cells constitute relay stations for sensory nerves passing form the spinal cord to
the cerebrum. The vital Centre, consisting of groups of the cells associated with autonomic reflex
activity, lie in its deeper structure.
These are the:
Cardiac Centre
Respiratory Centre
Vasomotor Centre
Reflex Centre of vomiting, coughing, sneezing, and swallowing.
Cerebellum:
The cerebellum is situated behind the pons and immediately below the posterior portion of
the cerebrum occupying the posterior cranial fossa. It is ovoid shape and has two hemispheres,
separated by a narrow median strip called the vermis. Grey matter forms the surface of the
cerebellum, and the white matter lies deeply.
Spinal cord:
The spinal cord is elongated, almost cylindrical part of the central nervous system, which is
suspended in the vertebral canal surrounded by the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid. It is
continuous above with the medulla oblongata and extends from the upper border of the atlas to
the lower border of the 1st lumbar vertebra. It is approximately 45cm long I an adult Caucasian
male, and is about the thickness of the little finger i.e. below the level of the 2nd lumbar vertebra.
This procedure is called lumbar puncture.
