Module 3 - Lecture 1

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain and spinal cord

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Comprised of cranial nerves and spinal nerves

Afferent division

Carries information towards the CNS

Efferent division

Carries information out of the CNS

Neuron

Basic functional unit of the nervous system; transmits electrical signals

Gyri

Ridges on the surface of the brain

Sulci

Shallow grooves on the surface of the brain

Fissures

Deep grooves on the surface of the brain

Longitudinal fissure

Separates two hemispheres of the brain

Central sulcus

Separates the frontal lobe from the parietal lobe

Commissural fibers

Connects grey matter of two hemispheres

Projection fibers

Connects hemispheres with lower regions of brain or spinal cord

Association fibers

Connects areas within the same hemisphere

Cortex

Outer layer of the brain

Nuclei

Collections of cell bodies in the CNS

Thalamus

Relay station and integrating center of the diencephalon

Hypothalamus

Control of homeostasis; center for behavioral drives

Pineal gland

Secretes melatonin

Medulla oblongata

Controls involuntary functions e.g., respiration, blood pressure, heart rate, swallowing, vomiting

Pons

Relay station, coordinates control of breathing

Midbrain

Controls eye movement, relay signals for hearing and seeing reflexes

Folia

Folds of the cerebellum

Vermis

Connects hemispheres of cerebellum

Components of neuron

• Cell body

• Dendrites

• Axon (surrounded by myelin, a fatty substance)

Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex

• Frontal

• Parietal

• Temporal

• Occipital

Frontal lobe

Prefrontal Cortex: Higher thought functions.

Motor Cortex: Control of movement.

Parietal Lobe

Sensory perception

Temporal Lobe

Hearing

Occipital Lobe

Visual perception

Primary Sensory Area

Receive sensory information

Association Area

Integrate information

Pituitary Gland

Secretes hormones

Major parts of the brain

• Cerebrum

• Diencephalon

• Cerebellum

• Brain stem

Cerebellum

Processes sensory information and coordinates the execution of precise movements

Brainstem

Contains pathways carrying sensory and motor information

Brainstem Components

Medulla Oblongata, Pons, Midbrain