CENRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AND THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

The Central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord. The Brain is that part of the CNS housed within the braincase. The spinal cord is in the vertebral column. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) lies outside the CNS and consist of nerves and ganglia. The PNS collects information from numerous sources both inside and on the surface of the body and relays it by way of sensory fibers to the CNS, where the information is ignored, triggers a reflex, or is evaluated more extensively. Motor fibers in the PNS relay information from the CNS to muscles and glands in various parts of the body, regulating activity in those structures. Nerves of the PNS can be divided into two groups: 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

SPINAL CORD

Spinal Cord Extends from the foramen magnum at the base of the skull to the second lumbar vertebra. Spinal nerves communicate between the spinal cord and the body. The inferior end of the spinal cord and the spinal nerves existing there resemble a horses tail and are called the cauda equine. A cross section of the spinal cord reveals that the cord consists of a peripheral white matter portion and a central gray matter portion. The white matter consists of myelinated axons, and the gray matter is mainly a collection of neuron cell bodies. The white matter in each half of the spinal cord is organized into three columns called dorsal(posterior), ventral (anterior) and lateral columns. Each columns of the spinal cord contains nerve tract. Ascending tract consist of axons that conduct action potential towards the brain, and descending tracts consist of axons that conduct action potentials away from the brain. The gray matter of the spinal cord is shaped like the letter H, with posterior and anterior horns. Small lateral horns exist in levels of the cord associated with autonomic nervous system. The central canal is a fluid-filled space in the center of the cord.

Spinal nerves arise from numerous rootlets along the dorasal and ventral surfaces of the spinal cord. The ventral rootlets combine to form a ventral root on the ventral(anterior) side of the spinal cord, and the dorsal (posterior) side of the cord at each segement. The ventral and dorsal roots unite just lateral to the spinal cord to form a spinal nerve. The dorsal root contains a ganglion, called the dorsal root ganglion.

The spinal nerves arise along the spinal cord from the union of the dorsal roots and ventral roots. All the spinal nerves are mixed nerves because they contain axons of both sensory and somatic motor neurons. Some spinal nerves also contain parasympathetic or sympathetic axons. Most of the spinal nerves axit the vertebral column between adjacent vertebrae. Spinal nerves are categorized by the region of the vertebral column from which they emerge cervica (C ), thoracic (T), lumbar (L), sacral (S) and coccygeal (Cx). The spinal nerves are also numbered (starting superiorly) according to their order within the region. The 31 pairs of spinal nerves are therefore c1 through c8, T1 through T12, L1 through L5, S1 through S% and Co. Most of the spinal nerves are organized into three plexuses where nerves come together and then separate: the cervical plexus, the brachial plexus and the lumbosachral plexus. The major nerves of the neck and limbs are branches of these plexuses. Spinal nerves T2 through T11 do not join a plexus. Instead these nerves extend around the thorax betweeen the ribs, giving off branches to muscles and skin.

BRAIN

The major region of the brain are the brainstem,the diencephalon, the cerebrum and the cerebellum. Braimstem connects the spinal cord to the remainder of the brain. It consist of the medulla oblongata, pons and midbrain and contains several nuclei involved in the vital body functions such as the control of heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. Damage to small areas of the brain sten can cause death, whereas damage to relatively large areas of the cerebrum or cerebellum often do not cause death. Medulla Oblongata the most inferior portion of the brain stem and is continuous with the spinal cord. It extends from the level of the foramen magnum to the pons. Superior to the medulla oblongata is the pons. It contains ascending and dscending nerve tracts, as well as several nuclei. Some nuclei in the pons relay information between the berebrum and the cerebellum. Several nuclei in medulla oblongata extend into the lower part of the pons, so that function such as breathing, swallowing and balance are controlled in the lower pons as well as in the medulla oblongata. Other nuclei in the pons control functions such as chewing and salivation. The epithalamus is a small area superior and posterior to the thalamus. It consist of a few small nuclei that are involved in the emotional and visceral response to odors, and the pineal body. The pineal body is an endocrine gland that may influence the onset of puberty. The hypothalamus is the most inferior part of the diencephalon and contains several small nuclei which are very important in maintaining homeostasis. Hypothalamus plays the role in the control of body temperature, hunger and thirst. The cerecrum is the largest part of the brain. Each cerebral hemisphere is divided into lobes. The frontal lobe important in control of voluntary motor function, motivation, aggresion, mood, and olfactory(Smell). The parietal lobe is the principal center for the reception and conscious perception of most sensory information such as touch, pain, teperature, balance, and taste. The occipital lobe functions in the reception and perception of visual input and is not distinctly separate from the other lobes. The temporal lobes is involved in olfactory (smell) and auditory (hearing) and plays important role in memory.

FLOW OF CEREBROSPINAL FLUID

Cerebrospinal fluid bathes the brain and spinal cord providing a protective cushion around the CNS. It os produced by the choroid and plexuses. CSF fills the brain ventricles, the central canal of the spinal cord, and the subarachnoid space.

The CSF flow from: The lateral ventricles into the third ventricle and then through the cerebral aqueduct into the fourth ventricle. A small amount CSF enters the central canal of the spinal cord. The CSF exits from the fourth ventricle through small opening in its walls and roof and enters the subarachnoid space