Exercise 19: Gross Anatomy of the Brain Introduction: due to complexity of the nervous system, it is organized into 2 principle

divisions 1. Central Nervous System (CNS)- brain & spinal cord; interpret sensory info. & issue instructions based on past experiences 2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)- cranial & spinal nerves, ganglia, & sensory receptors; carry sensory impulses to & from the CNS PNS has 2 major subdivisions 1. Sensory Portion - nerve fibers that conduct impulses toward the CNS 2. Motor Arm - nerve fibers that conduct impulses away from CNS Motor arm of PNS has 2 divisions 1. Somatic Division- also called the voluntary system, controls the skeletal muscles 2. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)- also called the involuntary system, controls smooth & cardiac muscles and glands ANS has 2 branches that help to maintain homeostatsis 1. Parasympathetic- maintains homeostasis 2. Sympathetic - flight or fight system

The Human Brain: Neural Tube- simple, tube-like structure that develops into 3 major brain regions: forebrain, midbrain & hindbrain (Refer to Figure 19.1, p 280) Forebrain- becomes the telencephalon (Cerebrum) and diencephalon - Cerebral Hemispheres- most superior portion of brain - Gyri- elevated ridges of tissue - Sulci- shallow grooves between gyri - Fissures- deep grooves between gyri *these serve as anatomical landmarks* Some important functional areas: - Primary somatosensory cortex- impulses from bodys sensory receptors (touch, pain, pressure, temp) localized in this area *tells you where info is coming from - Somatosensory association area- meaning of incoming stimuli analyzed here, makes you aware of pain, cold, light, touch, etc. - Primary motor area- voluntary movement of skeletal muscles - Brocas area- motor speech area, responsible for ability to articulate words - Prefrontal cortex- responsible for higherorder functions such as intellect, complex reasoning, personality, judgment, intuition, etc. - Wernickes area- unfamiliar words are sounded out here - Cerebral Cortex- outermost gray matter of
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cerebrum, contains cell bodies of cerebral neurons *gray matter = cell bodies* - Cerebral White Matter- deeper tissue of the cerebrum, composed of fiber tracts (axons) to carry impulses to/from the cortex *looks white b/c of myelin on axons* Midbrain- becomes the midbrain, brain stem Hindbrain- becomes the pons, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata Meninges of the brain layers of connective tissue that help to protect the brain Dura Mater tough outermost layer, attached to inner surface of skull Arachnoid Mater under dura & separated by subdural space, has threadlike projections that help attach to inner most layer Pia Mater very thin, highly vascular layer that clings to surface of the brain Meningitis- inflammation of the meninges; if infection spreads to the brain can become Encephalitis which can be fatal Cerebral Spinal Fluid formed by choroid plexus, lies in & around the brain, forms watery cushion to protect brain tissue against a blow to the cranium ** Students should go through the rest of the brain structures and the spinal cord pages (pg 326-329) themselves. Please point out the spinal cord pages, they always forget them!! **
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Exercise 22: Human Reflex Physiology Reflexes- rapid, predictable & involuntary motor responses to stimuli, are mediated over neural pathways called Reflex arcs Reflex arcs can be classified by number of synapses involved Monosynaptic Two neurons: sensory neuron synapses directly with motor neuron (only 1 synapse, ex: knee-jerk reflex) Polysynaptic- requires an interneuron between the sensory & motor neurons (2 or more synapses) *the more synapses, the more time required for the reflex to take place* Consist of 5 parts 1. Receptor- reacts to stimulus 2. Sensory (Afferent) Neuron- conducts afferent impulse to CNS 3. Integration Center- one or more neurons within the CNS 4. Motor (Efferent) Neuron- conducts efferent impulses to effector organ 5. Effector- muscle or glands, respond to impulse by contracting or secreting Two types of reflexes 1. Somatic Reflexes- involve skeletal muscle stimulation Patellar (deep tendon)- knee-jerk Plantar- stimulating the sole of the foot
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to cause the toes to move closer together Babinskis Sign- abnormal response to plantar reflex when toes will flare Corneal- blink when cornea is touched Gag- no need to explain! 2. Autonomic reflexes- mediated through the ANS, are not subject to conscious thought Pupillary- pupil will dilate or constrict in response to light Ciliospinal- pupillary reaction to touching persons neck Salivary- secretion of saliva in presence of different types of food