Central Nervous System Overview

Study Notes

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Composed of the brain and spinal cord.
Responsible for processing and transmitting information.
Protected by the skull and vertebral column.
Divided into:
- Cerebrum: Largest part, responsible for higher brain functions (thought, action).
- Cerebellum: Coordinates movement and balance.
- Brainstem: Controls basic life functions (heart rate, breathing).
- Spinal Cord: Transmits signals between the brain and body; contains reflex arcs.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Connects the CNS to limbs and organs.
Divided into:
- Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary movements and sensory information.
- Autonomic Nervous System: Regulates involuntary functions; further divided into:
  - Sympathetic Nervous System: Activates “fight or flight” response.
  - Parasympathetic Nervous System: Activates “rest and digest” response.
Contains sensory and motor neurons.

Brain Structure

Cerebral Cortex: Outer layer of the cerebrum; involved in complex functions (cognition, perception).
Lobes of the Cerebrum:
- Frontal Lobe: Involved in decision-making, problem-solving, and motor function.
- Parietal Lobe: Processes sensory information, spatial orientation.
- Temporal Lobe: Involved in auditory processing and memory.
- Occipital Lobe: Responsible for visual processing.
Subcortical Structures:
- Thalamus: Relays sensory information.
- Hypothalamus: Regulates homeostasis (hunger, thirst, temperature).
- Amygdala and Hippocampus: Involved in emotion and memory.

Neuroanatomical Pathways

Ascending Pathways: Carry sensory information from the body to the brain (e.g., spinothalamic tract).
Descending Pathways: Transmit motor commands from the brain to the body (e.g., corticospinal tract).
Commissural Fibers: Connect corresponding areas of the two hemispheres (e.g., corpus callosum).
Association Fibers: Connect different regions within the same hemisphere.
Functional Pathways: Involve networks for specific functions (e.g., visual pathway, auditory pathway).

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Consists of the brain and spinal cord, crucial for processing and transmitting information.
Encased in protective structures: the skull for the brain and the vertebral column for the spinal cord.
Major components include:
- Cerebrum: The largest brain region, facilitating higher brain functions like thought and action.
- Cerebellum: Responsible for movement coordination and balance.
- Brainstem: Manages essential life functions, including heart rate and breathing.
- Spinal Cord: Acts as a communication pathway between the brain and body, housing reflex arcs for immediate responses.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Establishes connections between the CNS and limbs/organs, enabling communication throughout the body.
Divided into two main systems:
- Somatic Nervous System: Governs voluntary movements and transmits sensory information.
- Autonomic Nervous System: Controls involuntary functions, further categorized into:
  - Sympathetic Nervous System: Prepares the body for intense physical activity (“fight or flight”).
  - Parasympathetic Nervous System: Promotes relaxation and recovery (“rest and digest”).
Comprises both sensory and motor neurons, facilitating various bodily functions.

Brain Structure

Cerebral Cortex: The outermost layer of the cerebrum, crucial for complex cognitive tasks and sensory processing.
Lobes of the Cerebrum:
- Frontal Lobe: Involved in decision-making, problem-solving, and voluntary motor control.
- Parietal Lobe: Processes sensory information and is important for spatial awareness.
- Temporal Lobe: Key for auditory perception and memory formation.
- Occipital Lobe: Specializes in visual processing.
Subcortical Structures:
- Thalamus: Functions as a relay station for sensory signals.
- Hypothalamus: Regulates vital homeostatic functions such as hunger, thirst, and body temperature.
- Amygdala and Hippocampus: Integral to the processing of emotions and memory storage.

Neuroanatomical Pathways

Ascending Pathways: Transport sensory data from the peripheral body to the brain (e.g., spinothalamic tract).
Descending Pathways: Convey motor commands from the brain to the body (e.g., corticospinal tract).
Commissural Fibers: Connect similar regions of both brain hemispheres (e.g., corpus callosum).
Association Fibers: Link distinct areas within the same hemisphere, facilitating coordinated activity.
Functional Pathways: Specialized networks dedicated to specific functions, such as visual and auditory processing pathways.

Description

Dive into the structure and functions of the Central Nervous System (CNS) in this quiz. Explore components like the cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord, and understand their roles in processing information and coordinating bodily functions.