CNS & PNS

3 distinct regions of the brain

cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem

cerebrum

located in the supratentorial region; contains the frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital lobes; largest area of the brain

cerebellum

located in the infratentorial region at the bottom of the brain below the occipital lobe & behind the brain stem; responsible for muscle coordination & balance

brainstem

the low extension of the brain where it connects to the spinal cord; pons & medulla located here

pons

controls neurological functions necessary for arousal being (awake/alert); helps regulate sleep-wake cycles & coordinate movement between the right & left sides of the body

medulla

controls neurological functions necessary for survival (breathing, digestion, heart rate, blood pressure)

frontal lobes

front part of the brain; involved in planning, organizing, problem-solving, selective attention, personality, variety of higher cognitive functions including behavior & emotions

temporal lobes

located on either side of the brain; help sort new information & are believed to be responsible for short term memory

parietal lobes

located at the top of the brain; contain primary sensory cortex controlling sensation

occipital lobe

located in the back of the brain; processes visual information

ventricles of the brain

structures containing CSF; continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord

cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

bathes & cushions the brain/spinal cord

meninges

a series of tough membranes that cover the brain & spinal cord

spinal cord

bundle of nerves that extends from the base of the brain downward, to the space between the 1st & 2nd lumbar vertebrae

vertebral column

surrounds & protects the spinal cord

vertebral segment

the basic constituent part into which the spine may be divided

vertebral interspace

the non-bony compartment between 2 adjacent vertebral bodies containing the intervertebral disc

vertebral body

the main portion of the vertebra

vertebral foramen

the passageway of the vertebral segments through which the spinal cord passes

spinous process

the posterior projection of the vertebra

transverse processes

projections on either side of the vertebra

laminae

small ridged areas midway between the spinous process, the transverse process, and the vertebral arch

laminotomy

partial excision of 1 or more lamina

nerve plexus

network of intersecting nerves that combine spinal nerves serving the same body area

cervical plexus

serves the head, neck, shoulders

brachial plexus

serves the chest, shoulders, arms, hands

lumbar plexus

serves the back, abdomen, groin, thighs, knees, calves

sacral plexus

serves the pelvis, buttocks, genitals, thighs, calves, feet

solar plexus

serves internal organs

femoral nerve

sensory & motor nerve supplying the front of the thigh & part of the lower leg

common fibular nerve

sensory & motor nerve supplying the knee & superior tibiofibular joints & tibialis anterior muscle; supplying movement & sensation to the lower leg, foot, toes

intercostal nerves

the upper thoracic nerves innervate primarily the chest & upper abdomen; only nerves not originating from a plexus

median nerve

innervates most flexor muscles of the forearm & provides sensation for the thumb, index, middle fingers, a portion of the ring finger; only nerves passing through the carpal tunnel

musculocutaneous nerve

sensory & motor nerve of the coracobrachialis, biceps brachii, greater part of the brachialis; arises from the brachial plexus

radial nerve

innervates the triceps muscle of the arm & all 12 muscles in the posterior osteofascial compartment of the forearm

saphenous nerve

sensory nerve of the knee joint, subsartorial, patellar plexuses, the skin on the medial side of the leg & foot

sciatic nerve

largest nerve of the body; supplies the skin of the leg & the muscles of the back of the thigh; divides just above the knee into the tibial & common fibular nerves

subcostal nerves

sensory & motor nerves of the skin of lower abdomen & lateral side of gluteal region, and parts of the abdominal transverse, oblique, rectus muscles

tibial nerve

sensory & motor nerve; supplies the muscles & skin of knee, calf, sole of foot, toes

ulnar nerve

provides sensation for the little finger & a portion of the ring finger & innervates some muscles of the hand/forearm