Functions of the Brain and Spinal Cord

Structure

• Brain: control center of the body, responsible for processing information and controlling functions
  • Divided into cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem
• Spinal cord: extends from base of brain down to lower back, responsible for transmitting messages between brain and rest of body

Functions

• Integration: integrates sensory information from environment and sends responses
• Control: controls voluntary movements, such as walking and talking
• Regulation: regulates body functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature

Divisions

• Somatic nervous system: controls voluntary movements, such as walking and talking
• Autonomic nervous system: controls involuntary functions, such as heart rate and digestion
  • Divided into sympathetic (fight or flight response) and parasympathetic (rest and digest response) systems

Cells

• Neurons: specialized cells that transmit information
  • Consist of dendrites (receive signals), cell body (processes information), and axon (transmits signals)
• Glial cells: provide support and protection for neurons
  • Include astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia

Protection

• Blood-brain barrier: protective barrier between bloodstream and brain tissue
• Meninges: protective membranes that surround brain and spinal cord
  • Include dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater

Disorders and Diseases

• Neurodegenerative diseases: characterized by progressive neuron death, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
• Neurodevelopmental disorders: affect brain development, such as autism and ADHD
• Infections: such as meningitis and encephalitis

The Nervous System

• The brain is the control center of the body, responsible for processing information and controlling functions.

Brain Structure

• The brain is divided into three main parts: cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.
• The cerebrum is responsible for processing sensory information and controlling voluntary movements.
• The cerebellum coordinates muscle movements and maintains posture and balance.
• The brainstem connects the cerebrum and cerebellum and regulates basic functions such as breathing and heart rate.

Functions of the Nervous System

• Integration: integrates sensory information from the environment and sends responses.
• Control: controls voluntary movements, such as walking and talking.
• Regulation: regulates body functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.

Divisions of the Nervous System

• Somatic nervous system: controls voluntary movements, such as walking and talking.
• Autonomic nervous system: controls involuntary functions, such as heart rate and digestion.
  • Divided into sympathetic (fight or flight response) and parasympathetic (rest and digest response) systems.

Neurons and Glial Cells

• Neurons: specialized cells that transmit information.
  • Consist of dendrites (receive signals), cell body (processes information), and axon (transmits signals).
• Glial cells: provide support and protection for neurons.
  • Include astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia.

Protection of the Nervous System

• Blood-brain barrier: a protective barrier between the bloodstream and brain tissue.
• Meninges: protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
  • Include dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

Disorders and Diseases of the Nervous System

• Neurodegenerative diseases: characterized by progressive neuron death, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
• Neurodevelopmental disorders: affect brain development, such as autism and ADHD.
• Infections: such as meningitis and encephalitis.

Spinal Cord Function

Overview

• The spinal cord is a long, thin, tube-like structure extending from the base of the brain down to the lower back, part of the central nervous system (CNS).
• Responsible for transmitting and processing information between the brain and the rest of the body.

Functions

• Transmits motor signals from the brain to muscles and glands, controlling voluntary movements like walking, running, and writing.
• Receives and processes sensory information from the body, including pain, temperature, touch, and pressure.
• Interprets sensory data and sends it to the brain for further processing.
• Coordinates and controls reflexes, which are automatic responses to stimuli.
• Examples of reflexes include withdrawing a hand from a hot surface, blinking when something approaches the eye.
• Helps regulate various bodily functions, such as blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and digestion.

Spinal Cord Segments

• The spinal cord is divided into 31 segments, each responsible for controlling specific regions of the body.
• Segments are grouped into five regions: Cervical (neck), Thoracic (chest), Lumbar (lower back), Sacral (pelvis), and Coccygeal (tailbone).
• The regions are further divided into segments: C1-C8 (Cervical), T1-T12 (Thoracic), L1-L5 (Lumbar), S1-S5 (Sacral), and Co1-Co5 (Coccygeal).

Injury and Disease

• Spinal cord injuries can result in loss of motor and sensory function, depending on the location and severity of the injury.
• Diseases affecting the spinal cord, such as multiple sclerosis, can impact its function and lead to a range of symptoms.