Page 1: Introduction

• Nicholas de Mora-Mieszkowski

• The Nervous System

• AHP 401 Introduction to Life Sciences

Page 2: Learning Outcomes

• Identify the anatomical structures and components of the nervous system.

• Describe the physiological functions and mechanisms of the nervous system.

• Describe the physiology associated with the sensation of pain.

• Explain pathophysiological functional changes due to common illnesses, diseases, injuries, and well-being conditions of the nervous system.

Page 3: Session Overview

• Recap of anatomy from pre-session activities.

• Consideration of physiological functions.

• Physiology of pain discussion.

• Address muddiest points.

• Overview of pathophysiological functional changes in common conditions, illnesses, and injuries.

Page 4: Structures of the Nervous System

• Cells and Tissues:

  • Neurones

  • Neuroglia

  • Nerves

• Central Nervous System (CNS):

  • Brain

  • Spinal Cord

  • Meninges and Cerebrospinal fluid

• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS):

  • Spinal nerves

  • Thoracic nerves

  • Cranial nerves

  • Autonomic nervous system

Page 5: Nervous Tissue

• Neurones:

  • Specialized cells conducting nerve impulses; consist of cell body, axon, and dendrites.

• Neuroglia:

  • Supporting cells for neurons, providing insulation and structure.

Page 6: Neurone Components

• Dendrite

• Nucleus

• Axon

• Cell body

• Myelin sheath

• Schwann's cell

• Node of Ranvier

• Axon terminal

Page 7: Synaptic Transmission

1. Nerve impulse travels down the axon of presynaptic neuron.

2. Voltage-gated calcium (Ca2+) channels open.

3. Ca2+ enters, triggering synaptic vesicles to release neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

4. Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron.

5. Channel closes, leading to a nerve impulse in the postsynaptic neuron.

Page 8: Neuromuscular Junction

• Referenced source: Freed, DB (2018), Motor Speech Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment.

Page 9: Anatomy of Nerves

• Composition of Nerves:

  • Numerous neurons bound by connective tissue.

• Peripheral Nerve Components:

  • Endoneurium, Perineurium, and Epineurium.

• Motor and Sensory pathways.

Page 10: Central Nervous System Overview

• The brain and spinal cord are key components of the CNS.

Page 11: CNS Anatomical Structures

• Central sulcus

• Cerebral cortex

• Choroid plexus

• Cranial meninges

• Thalamus

• Various lobes including Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, and Occipital.

Page 12: Meningeal Structures

• Emissary vein

• Venous lacuna

• Arachnoid granulation

• Dura mater

Page 13: Lobes of the Brain

• Cerebrum structure:

  • Frontal lobe

  • Parietal lobe

  • Temporal lobe

  • Occipital lobe

Page 14: Brain Structures

• Primary motor area

• Sensory areas (Somatosensory, Auditory, Visual)

• Speech areas (Wernicke's, Broca's)

Page 15: Brain and Spinal Cord Structures

• Brainstem Components:

  • Midbrain, Pons, Medulla oblongata.

• Cerebellum:

  • Contains a significant number of neurons.

Page 16: Text Reference

• Source: Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery (2023).

Page 17: Spinal Cord Structure

• Meninges and related structures at different levels of the spinal cord.

• Cauda equina and nerve root organization.

Page 18: Spinal Cord Overview

• Dorsal and ventral horns arrangement.

• Grey and white matter organization.

Page 19: Introduction to Peripheral Nervous System

• Overview of PNS function and structure.

Page 20: PNS Components

• Pedicles of vertebrae, cranial nerves, and spinal nerves.

Page 21: Spinal Nerves

• Total of 31 paired spinal nerves categorized by regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccygeal.

Page 22: Nerve Plexuses

• Description of nerve plexuses - interconnections of spinal nerves.

• Types of plexuses: Cervical, Brachial, Lumbar, Sacral, Coccygeal.

Page 23: Cranial Nerves

• Overview of 12 paired cranial nerves; includes sensory and motor functions.

  • Functionality includes sensory (olfactory, optic, vestibulocochlear) and mixed (trigeminal, facial, vagus) nerves.

Page 24: Functional Overview of the PNS

• Classification into sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) systems.

• Role of the autonomic nervous system: sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways.

Page 25: Physiological Functions Overview

• Overview of physiological roles of PNS.

Page 26: CNS Functions Overview

• Detail functions specific to the CNS.

Page 27: Localizing Functions of the Brain

• Key areas related to motor and sensory functions mapped.

Page 28: Broca's Type Aphasia

• Overview of Broca's area functions.

Page 29: Comparison of Broca's and Wernicke's Areas

• Key functions and locations of these critical areas.

Page 30: Wernicke's Type Aphasia

• Overview of Wernicke's area functions.

Page 31: Hemispheric Functions

• Discussion of the left and right hemispheres and lateralization principles.

Page 32: Predicting Language Outcomes Post-Stroke

• Overview of research related to recovery and language processing regions.

Page 33: Reiteration of Brain Functions

• Reiteration of functions localized to specific areas of the brain.

Page 34: Lateralization Significance

• Insights into brain communication and functional tasks.

Page 35: Basal Ganglia Overview

• Quick overview of associated nuclei.

Page 36: Brainstem Structure Overview

• Components of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata labeled.

Page 37: Cerebellum Across Species

• Comparison of cerebellum structures across different animals.

Page 38: Internal Decussation and Nerve Connections

• Illustration of decussation and connections across brainstem nuclei.

Page 39: Structures and Pathways of the Motor Cortex

• Detailed overview of pathways responsible for motor functions in the brain.

Page 40: Spinal Cord Functions

• Detailed look at dorsal and ventral roots and grey/white matter roles.

Page 41: PNS Functionality Overview

• Overview of PNS functions and divisions.

Page 42: Summation of PNS Functions

• Classification of functions from sensory to motor capacities.

Page 43: Functional Organization Overview

• Overview distinction between somatic and autonomic organization.

Page 44: Somatic Nervous System Functions

• Description of functions related to conscious sensations and voluntary muscle control.

Page 45: Autonomic Nervous System Overview

• Sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions overview.

Page 46: Autonomic Functions Overview

• Brief overview of autonomic functions and their impact on the body.

Page 47: Overview of Lumbar and Sacral Plexuses

• Breakdown of nerve root organization and functions.

Page 48: Specific Cervical Plexus Nerves

• Description of key cervical nerves and their locations.

Page 49: Reference for Peripheral Nerve Information

• Reference source for further information on spinal nerves.

Page 50: Sensory Innervation in Surgical Procedures

• Importance of sensory innervation understood for surgical interventions.

Page 51: Overview of the Cranial Nerves

• Functions of each cranial nerve and their significance to body control.

Page 52: Upper versus Lower Motor Neuron Lesions

• Comparison of UMN and LMN lesions and their implications on nerve function.

Page 53: Understanding Pain in Medical Context

• Introduction to definitions and classifications of pain.

Page 54: Definition of Pain

• As per International Association for the Study of Pain:

  • Description focusing on pain's unpleasant sensory and emotional experience, influencing factors, and importance of individual reporting on pain.

Page 55: Pain Classification System

• Regions of the body, duration, causing dysfunction, and intensity are key classification criteria.

Page 56: Acute vs Chronic Pain

• Acute Pain:

  • Temporary, often resolved when stimulus is removed.

  • Chronic Pain:

  • Long-lasting, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral neuropathy.

Page 57: Different Pain Qualities

• Pain Types:

  • Dull/burning vs sharp pain classifications.

Page 58: Nociception Mechanism

• Nociceptors:

  • Sensory receptors for detecting damage signals and chemical inflammatory responses.

Page 59: Types of Nociceptors

• Types include thermal, mechanical, chemical, silent, and polymodal, each responding to different stimuli.

Page 60: Action Potential Overview

• Description of basic action potentials in pain signaling.

Page 61: Pain Pathway Overview

• Mapping of pain signaling from injury through the CNS.

Page 62: Sharp Pain Processing

• Pathway of sharp pain from nociceptors to brain regions of awareness.

Page 63: Dull Pain Processing

• Pathway of dull pain intercepting the brain differently than sharp pain through connecting structures.

Page 64: Key Terms in Pain Management

• Definitions for modulation, transduction, perception, nociceptive pain, and transmission.

Page 65: Gate Control Theory

• Overview of the theory explaining the body's pain awareness mechanisms.

Page 66: Referred Pain Example

• Example of referred pain in cardiac arrest situations.

Page 67: Integration of Body Responses

• Overview of how pain responses integrate within the nervous system:

  • Sympathetic response, stress response, and neuroendocrine system influence observations.

Page 68: Break Overview

• Indication of a break or transition in session content.

Page 69: Common Issues in Context

• Discussion points for the next session focus.

Page 70: Group Activity Overview

• Activity instructions to analyze real-life examples of bodily functions.

Page 71: Example Case Discussion

• An example scenario provided for analysis.

Page 72: Review Learning Outcomes

• Review of learning targets and objectives.

Page 73: Questions and Clarifications

• Open floor for questions regarding concepts discussed.

Page 74: End of Document

• Reference to Wrexham University for further insights.