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Atherosclerosis
Formation of plaque
deposits
Thrombosis
Hypertension Occlusion by
major vessel
Dizziness
Confusion Cerebral Hypoperfusion
headache
Impaired distribution of
O2 and glucose
Cerebral Ischemia
Initiation of
ischemic cascade
Anaerobic
Production of O2 free
metabolism by
radicals and other reactive
mitochondria
O2 species
Generates large amount Failure production of
of lactic acid adenosine triphosphate
Influx of Ca
Compression of tissue
Increased intracranial
Impaired perfusion and
function
BRAIN
Sensory input- sensory receptors monitor numerous external and internal stimuli that
may be interpreted as touch, temperature, taste, smell, sound, blood pressure and
body position. Action potentials from the sensory receptors travel along nerves to the
spinal cord and brain, where they are interpreted.
Integration- the brain and spinal cord are the major organs for processing sensory
input and initiating responses. The input may produce an immediate response, may
be stored as memory or may be ignored.
Homeostasis- the nervous system plays an important role in the maintenance of
homeostasis. This function depends on the ability of the nervous system to detect,
interpret and respond to changes in internal and external conditions. In response,
the nervous system can stimulate or inhibit the activities of other system to help
maintain a constant internal environment.
Mental activity- the brain is the center of mental activity including consciousness,
memory and thinking.
Control of muscles and glands- skeletal muscles normally contract only when
stimulated by the nervous system. Thus, through the control of skeletal muscle, the
nervous system controls the major movements of the body. The nervous system
also participates in controlling cardiac muscle, smooth muscle and many glands.
It is the portion of the central nervous system contained within the skull. The
brain is the control center for movement, sleep, hunger, thirst, and virtually every other
vital activity necessary to survival. All human emotions—including love, hate, fear,
anger, elation, and sadness—are controlled by the brain. It also receives and interprets
the countless signals that are sent to it from other parts of the body and from the
external environment. The brain makes us conscious, emotional, and intelligent.
Occupying the skull cavity (cranium), the adult human brain normally weighs from 2 1/4
to 3 1/4 lb (1-1.5 kg). Differences in weight and size do not correlate with differences in
mental ability; an elephant's brain weighs more than four times that of a human. In
invertebrates a group of ganglia or even a single ganglion may serve as a rudimentary
brain.
Anatomically the brain has three major parts, the hindbrain (including the
cerebellum and the brain stem ), the midbrain, and the forebrain (including the
diencephalon and the cerebrum). Every brain area has an associated function, although
many functions may involve a number of different areas.
The brain stem is the lowest part of the brain. It serves as the path for
messages travelling between the upper brain and spinal cord, and is also the seat of
basic and vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate, as well as
reflexes like eye movement and vomiting. The brain stem has three main parts: the
medulla, pons, and midbrain. A canal runs longitudinally through these structures
carrying cerebrospinal fluid. Also distributed along its length is a network of cells,
referred to as the reticular formation, that governs the state of alertness.
The medulla, which is part of the brainstem, controls basic functions such as
breathing rate, heartbeat and the activity of the intestines. The midbrain, also part of the
brainstem, controls movements and contains nerve centres involved in hearing and
vision.
1.2 Cerebellum
1.3 Cerebrum
Frontal – the largest lobe. The major functions of this lobe are concentration,
abstract thought, information storage or memory, and motor function. It also
contains Broca’s area, critical for motor control of speech. The frontal lobe is
also responsible in large part for an individual’s affect, judgment, personality,
and inhibitions.
Parietal – a predominantly sensory lobe. The primary sensory cortex, which
analyzes sensory information and relays the interpretation of this information
to the thalamus and other cortical areas, is located in the parietal lobe. It is
also essential to an individual’s awareness of the body in space, as well as
orientation in space and spatial relations.
Temporal – contains the auditory areas. Contains a vital area called the
interpretive area that provides integration of somatization, visual, and auditory
areas and plays the most dominant role of any area of the cortex in
cerebration.
Occipital – the posterior lobe of the cerebral hemisphere is responsible for
visual interpretation.
Corpus Callosum
Is a thick collection of nerve fibers that connects the two hemispheres of the
brain and is responsible for the transmission of information from one side of the brain to
the other.
Basal Ganglia
Are masses of nuclei located deep in the cerebral hemispheres that are
responsible for control of fine motor movements, including those of the hands and lower
extremities.
Thalamus
Lies on either side of the third ventricle and acts primarily as a relay station for
all sensation except smell. All memory, sensation, and pain impulses also pass through
this section of the brain.
Hypothalamus
The site of the hunger center and is involved in appetite control. It contains the
centers that regulate the sleep-wake cycle, blood pressure, aggressive and sexual
behavior, and emotional responses. The hypothalamus also controls and regulates
the autonomic nervous system.
Pituitary Gland
Located in the sella turcica at the base of the brain and is connected to the
hypothalamus. The pituitary is a common site of brain tumors in adults; frequently they
are detected by physical signs and symptoms that can be traced to the pituitary, such
as hormonal imbalance or visual disturbances secondary to pressure on the optic
chiasm.
1.4 Diencephalon
The thalamus , which forms the major part of the diencephalon, receives
incoming sensory impulses and routes them to the appropriate higher centers. The
hypothalamus , occupying the rest of the diencephalon, regulates heartbeat, body
temperature, and fluid balance.