Neuroanatomy:

Structure & Function

The Nervous System

Consists of:
Brain Spinal Cord Cranial nerves and branches Spinal nerves and branches Ganglia Enteric Plexuses Sensory receptors

The Nervous System

3 Functions
1. Sensory function
Detection of stimuli (internal and external) Sensory neurons

2. Integrative function

Process sensory input and make decisions about responses to stimuli Interneurons
Respond to sensory input and carry message to effectors Motor neurons

3. Motor function

The Nervous System

The Nervous System has 2 subsystems:
Central Nervous System

Brain Spinal Cord

Nerves Ganglia Receptors

Peripheral Nervous System

Peripheral Nervous System

Peripheral Nervous System- 2 subdivisions
1. Somatic Nervous System
Sensory neurons deliver to CNS Motor neurons from CNS deliver messages to skeletal muscle only Motor aspect is consciously controlled- Voluntary

2. Autonomic Nervous System

Innervation of Viscera and GI tract Motor neurons deliver messages to cardiac muscle, glands, smooth muscle in GI tract Motor aspect not consciously controlled- Involuntary

The Nervous System

2 cell types in Nervous System:
1. Neurons
specialised nerve cells

2. Neuroglia
Provide support, nourishment, protection to neurons i.e. Schwann cell

Structure of Neuron

Neuroglia
Schwann Cell
Outer layer called neurolemma* (sheath of Schwann) Secretes lipid and protein inner layer called myelin sheath Electrically insulates axon and increases speed of nerve conduction *Aids in regeneration if axon damaged

Schwann Cell

The Spinal Cord

Located within the vertebral canal formed by vertebral foramina Extends from medulla oblongata in the brain to inferior border of L1 Followed by cauda equina- nerve roots below 2nd lumbar vertebrae Filum terminale- anchors spinal cord to coccyx Protected by
Vertebrae Meninges (3 layers) Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

The Spinal Cord

The Spinal Cord

The Spinal Cord

Grey matter Contains cell bodies of neurons, dendrites of interneurons and motor neurons Receives input from sensory neurons, integrates information and provides output via motor neurons Nervous tissue with little or no myelin appears grey

Grey Matter
Grey matter is shaped like the letter H Divided into regions called horns Dorsal (posterior) gray horn contains sensory cell bodies Ventral (anterior) gray horn contains motor cell bodies Lateral gray horn contain cell bodies of the autonomic motor neurons that regulate smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glands

The Spinal Cord

The Spinal Cord

White matter
Contains bundles of myelinated and unmyelinated axons of sensory neurons, interneurons and motor neurons Nervous tissue (axons) that are myelinated appear white

It is divided into 3 columns

Ventral (anterior) Dorsal (posterior) Lateral

White Matter
Each column of white matter contains bundles of axons called tracts that carry information up and down the spinal cord
Sensory (ascending) tracts Motor (descending) tracts

Sensory tracts contain axons that carry nerve impulses towards the brain; motor tracts carry nerve impulses down the spinal cord away from the brain

The Spinal Cord

Voluntary Movement
Nerve impulses for precise voluntary movements propagate from the cortex in the brain to somatic motor neurons that innervate skeletal muscles via the direct pathway The simplest of these pathways consists of sets of two neurons; Upper motor neurons Lower motor neurons

Upper Motor Neurons

Cell bodies located in the cortex of the cerebrum Axons descend through the pons and decussate (cross over) to the opposite side The motor cortex of the right side of the brain controls muscles on the left side of the body and vice versa The axons descend through the lateral corticospinal (descending) tracts and terminate in the anterior gray horn

Lower Motor Neurons

Cell body located in the anterior gray horn at each spinal cord segment Axon emerges from spinal cord via the ventral (anterior) root Dorsal and ventral roots unite to form a spinal nerve at the intervertebral foramen where it exits the vertebral canal Axons terminate as motor end plates in skeletal muscle

The Spinal Cord

Upper & Lower Motor Neurons

A few upper motor neurons synapse directly with lower motor neurons The majority of upper motor neurons synapse with an interneuron which in turn synapses with a lower motor neuron

UMN & LMN Lesions

Upper Motor Neurone Lesions
Spastic paralysis of muscles on the opposite side of the body Hyper-reflexive (& pathological reflexes) Clonus

Lower Motor Neurone Lesions

Flaccid paralysis of muscles on the same side of the body No voluntary or reflex activity of innervated muscle fibres Muscle tone decreased or lost

References
Tortora, G., Derrickson, B., 2008. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 12th Edition. John Wiley & Sons Waugh, A., Grant, A, 2006. Ross and Wilson: Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness. 10th Edition. Churchill Livingstone OBrien, M., 2010. Aids to the examination of the peripheral nervous system. 5th Edition. Elsevier Saunders Nolte, J., 2008. The Human Brain: An introduction to its functional anatomy. 6th Edition. Mosby Inc.