Anatomy & Physiology - Laboratory

STUDENT ACTIVITY SHEET BS NURSING / FIRST YEAR

Session # 21

LESSON TITLE: NERVOUS SYSTEM (Part 2) Materials:

Pen and notebook
LEARNING TARGETS:

Upon completion of this lesson, you can:

1. Compare and contrast the central and peripheral nervous
systems;
2. Lists parts of the brain, brainstem and state their functions;
3. Define and describe structure of a nucleus, a ganglion, a
nerve tract, and a nerve;
4. Explain how an action potential is generated and
propagated; Reference:
5. Illustrate the structural and physiological mechanisms of
centrals and peripheral nervous system; and, VanPutte, C., Regan, J., & Russo, A. (2019). Seeley’s
6. Define the spinal cord, spinal nerves, and brain with their essentials of anatomy & physiology (10th ed.). New
significant functions. York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
Answer the following questions by matching the cells of the nervous system to its description (Column A) and its function (Column
B). Write your answers in the space provided below the table.

Write only the letters of your options from each of Column A and Column B.

Cells of Nervous System Column A (Description) Column B (Function)

1. Schwann Cells a. epithelial-like a. enclosed unmyelinated axons

2. Pseudo-unipolar b. small, mobile cells b. protects CNS from infection

3. Microglia c. appears to have single axon c. provide structural support

4. Astrocytes d. single cells surrounding axons d. circulate cerebrospinal fluid

5. Ependymal Cells e. highly branch e. most sensory neurons

1. D , A
2. C , E
3. B , B
4. E , C
5. A , D

MAIN LESSON
You will study and read their book, if available, about this lesson.

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CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEMS.

Spinal Cord
○ Extends from foramen magnum to 2nd lumbar vertebra
■ Cauda Equina → inferior end of spinal cord where spinal nerves exiting resemble horse’s tail
○ White matter consists of myelinated axons, gray matter is a collection of neuron cell bodies
○ Babinski Reflex → when no inhibition by CNS is present; stroke of bottom of foot causes flexion in babies
■ White matter is divided into 3 columns:
● Dorsal
● Ventral
● Lateral
■ Each column has 2 types of pathways:
● Ascending Tracts → consist of axons that conduct action potentials toward the brain
● Descending Tracts → consist of axons that conduct action potentials away from brain
○ Gray matter has:
■ Posterior (Dorsal) Horns: contains axons which synapse w/ interneurons
■ Anterior (Ventral) Horns: contain somatic (motor) neurons
■ Lateral Horns: contain autonomic neurons
○ Central Canal: fluid-filled space in center of the spinal cord
○ Ventral Root: motor (efferent) root of spinal nerve
○ Dorsal Root: sensory root of spinal nerve
■ Dorsal Root Ganglion
● Cell bodies of pseudounipolar sensory neurons are located in the dorsal root ganglia
○ Axons of pseudo-unipolar sensory neurons originate in periphery and pass through spinal
nerves and dorsal roots to posterior horn of gray matter
■ In posterior horn, axons either converge with interneurons or pass into white matter and
ascend/descend
○ Ventral and Dorsal Root combine to form spinal nerves
○ Axons from motor neurons form ventral roots and pass into spinal nerves

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Spinal Cord Reflexes
○ Knee-Jerk Reflex (Patellar Reflex):
■ Stretch reflex (simple)
■ When patellar ligament is tapped, quadriceps femoris muscle tendon and the muscles themselves are stretched
● Sensory receptors within these muscles are also stretched and the stretch reflex is activated
■ Clinicians use knee-jerk reflex to see if higher CNS centers that influence this reflex are functional
○ Withdrawal Reflex (flexor reflex):
■ To remove a limb or another body part from painful stimulus
■ Sensory neurons conduct action potentials through dorsal root to spinal cord, where sensory neurons synapse with
interneurons, which turn synapse w/ motor neurons
● Motor neurons then stimulate flexor muscles to remove limb from source of painful stimulus

Spinal Nerves (31 Pairs)

○ Peripheral nerves exiting from spinal cord
○ Dorsal root → carries sensory info toward
CNS
○ Ventral root → carries motor info away from
CNS
○ Contain sensory and motor nerves → mixed
nerves
○ Dermatome: area of skin supplied w/ sensory
innervation by pair of spinal nerves
○ Each of the spinal nerves except C1 has a
specific cutaneous sensory distribution
○ Plexuses (3): neurons of several spinal nerves
come together and intermingle
■ Cervical Plexus
■ Brachial Plexus
■ Lumbosacral Plexus

1. The spinal nerves exit the vertebral column at

the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions.
2. The nerves are grouped into plexuses.
3. The phrenic nerve, which supplies
the diaphragm, is the most important branch of the
cervical plexus.
4. The brachial plexus supplies nerves to the
upper limb.
5. The lumbosacral plexus supplies nerves to
the lower limb.

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Brain
○ Brainstem
■ Connects spinal cord to brain
■ Consists of:
● Medulla oblongata
○ Extends from foramen magnum to pons
○ Contains nuclei for functions such as regulation of heart rate and blood vessel diameter, breathing,
wallowing, vomiting, coughing, sneezing, balance, and balance
○ Pyramids: involved in conscious control of skeletal muscle
● Pons
○ Relay information from cerebrum and cerebellum (functional bridge between them)
○ Controls chewing and salivation (pons only), as well as functions such as breathing, swallowing, and
balance (like medulla oblongata)
● Midbrain
○ Located between pons and diencephalon
○ Colliculi: four mounds on dorsal part of midbrain
■ 2 inferior colliculi → relay centers for auditory nerve pathways in CNS
■ 2 superior colliculi → visual reflexes and receive touch/auditory input
○ Contains nuclei involved in coordinating eye movements, controlling pupil diameter, lens shape and
reward/reinforcement
○ Contains substantia nigra: black nuclear mass which regulates general body movements
■ Damage to brainstem causes death, whereas damage to cerebrum/ cerebellum does not cause death
■ Reticular Formation: loose network of neuron cell bodies scattered throughout brainstem; involved in regulation of cycles
such as sleep-wake cycle (reticular activating system) → Norepinephrine
● Also regulates cyclical motor functions like respiration, walking, chewing, arousing and maintaining
consciousness, sleep-wake cycle
● Damage to the cells of reticular formation can cause coma
○ Cerebellum
■ Attached to brainstem by cerebellar peduncles
● Provide routes of communication between cerebellum and other parts of CNS
■ Coordinated movement and learning
○ Diencephalon
■ Between brainstem and cerebrum
■ 3 Main Components:
● Thalamus
○ Largest part of diencephalon
○ Connected in center by interthalamic adhesion
○ Relay for sensory information!
○ Influences mood
○ Registers unlocalized, uncomfortable perception of pain
● Epithalamus
○ Superior to thalamus
○ Small, few nuclei involved in emotional/visceral response to odors
○ Pineal Gland: influences onset of puberty; plays role in controlling long-term cycles influenced by
light-dark cycle
● Hypothalamus
○ Inferior part of diencephalon
○ Maintenance of homeostasis
○ Regulate body temperature, hunger, thirst
○ Sensations like sexual pleasure, rage, fear,
relaxation, “nervous perspirations” (emotional responses)
○ Infundibulum: extends from bottom of hypothalamus to pituitary gland
■ Hypothalamus plays role in secretion of hormones from pituitary gland (controls
pituitary gland)
○ Mammillary bodies form visible swellings on backside of hypothalamus → emotional responses to
odors and memory
○ Cerebrum
■ Largest part of brain

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 ■ Divided into left and right hemispheres by a longitudinal fissure
■ Has many folds called gyri (increase surface area of cortex)
■ Has intervening grooves called sulci
■ Divided into lobes:
● Frontal lobe:
○ Control of voluntary motor functions (Phineas Gage), motivation, aggression (impulsivity), mood,
and smell
● Parietal lobe:
○ Evaluates sensory information such as touch, pain, temperature, and balance (sensation)
● Occipital lobe:
○ Vision
○ Not separate from other lobes
● Temporal lobe:
○ Hearing, smell, memory

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING

You will answer and rationalize this by yourself. This will be recorded as your quiz. One (1) point will be given to the correct
answer and another one (1) point for the correct ratio. Superimpositions or erasures in your answer/ratio is not allowed.

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Label the following parts.

1. FRONTAL LOBE
2. CORPUS CALLOSUM
3. THALAMUS
4. HYPOTHALAMUS
5. TEMPORAL LOBE
6. PONS
7. MEDULLA OBLONGATA
8. SPINAL CORD
9. CENTRAL SULCUS
10. PARIETAL LOBE
11. OCCIPITAL LOBE
12. PINEAL GLAND
13. FOURTH VENTRICLE
14. CEREBELLUM

RATIONALIZATION ACTIVITY
The instructor will now provide you the rationalization to these questions. You can now ask questions and debate among yourselves.
Write the correct answers beside the image presented in the CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING part. Make sure to use another pen
color (preferably red ink) for easy distinction.

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LESSON WRAP-UP

You will now mark (encircle) the session you have finished today in the tracker below. This is simply a visual to help you track how
much work you have accomplished and how much work there is left to do.

You are done with the session! Let’s track your progress.

AL Activity: REVIEW TEST

This strategy is an efficient way for you to practice and clarify learnings. You will be answering each question based on your
understanding and comprehension in today's topic. Make sure to not miss any detail!

1. What are the columns of white matter?

The white matter is divided into 3 columns, the dorsal or posterior column, lateral column, and ventral
Or anterior column.

2. What is the withdrawal reflex?

It is an automatic response enacted to withdraw a limb from a painful stimulus. The intensity of the reflex is
proportional to the intensity of the painful stimulus.

3. What is the difference between dorsal and ventral root?

The difference between the dorsal and ventral root is that Dorsal root carries sensory information towards the Central
Nervous System. On the other hand, the Ventral root carries motor information away from the Central Nervous
System.

4. What is the largest part of the brain?

The largest part of the brain is the Cerebrum

5. What is the part of the brain that is responsible for chewing and salivation?

The part of the brain that is responsible for chewing and salivation is the Brainstem.

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