The Nervous System
The nervous system is a very complex system of bundled nerves that send signals to and from the brain and throughout the body. All nerves "report back" to the spinal cord, or the central nervous system). The central nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord, and retina. Neurons in the CNS send signals to all the cells. This is kind of like an alarm system. Sensory neurons are sensitive to touch, sight, smell, etc. When you touch something hot and pull back, this is your central nervous system in full effect. It sends signals from the body part being effected to the brain. The brain will then send signals back through the nerves to the body part and makes it move away or react.
Ventricles of the Brain and CSF
Ventricles in the brain, filled with cerebral spinal fluid, are
communicating networks that help receive senses from throughout the body and
deliver them to the brain. There are four ventricles in the brain: two
lateral, a third and a fourth. Each ventricle sends different signals to
one another. The two lateral ventricles communicate with the third ventricle,
located in the center of the brain. The third also relays messages to the two
laterals. The fourth ventricle is the most superior of them all. It Communicates
with the spinal cord where it is connected. The CSF, which is in each of the
ventricles, is created by structures called choroid plexuses. These structures
are located within the walls and roofs of the ventricles. The purpose of the CSF
is not only to help send signals throughout the brain, it also provides cushion
within each of the ventricles.
communicating networks that help receive senses from throughout the body and
deliver them to the brain. There are four ventricles in the brain: two
lateral, a third and a fourth. Each ventricle sends different signals to
one another. The two lateral ventricles communicate with the third ventricle,
located in the center of the brain. The third also relays messages to the two
laterals. The fourth ventricle is the most superior of them all. It Communicates
with the spinal cord where it is connected. The CSF, which is in each of the
ventricles, is created by structures called choroid plexuses. These structures
are located within the walls and roofs of the ventricles. The purpose of the CSF
is not only to help send signals throughout the brain, it also provides cushion
within each of the ventricles.
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The Nerves (Courtney and Sandy)
The Nerves are bundles of axons in the peripheral nervous system that act as information highways to carry signals between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body. There are many different nerves in the body here are some: afferent, efferent, and mixed nerves. Some of the nerves in the body are specialized for carrying information in only one direction. Afferent nerves are nerves that carry information from sensory receptors to the central nervous system. Efferent nerves carry signals only from the central nervous system to effectors such as muscles and glands. Another important nerve is the cranial nerves they extend from the inferior side of the brain are 12pairs of cranial nerves. This provides a direct connection to the brain for the special sense organs, muscles of the head, neck, and shoulders, the heart, and the GI tract. The last nerve is the spinal nerves they extend from the left and right sides of the spinal cord are 31 pairs of spinal nerves. The spinal nerves are mixed nerves that carry both sensory and motor signals between the spinal cord and specific egions of the body.
The Brain (Elijah, Jordan, and Heather)
The brain is an organ that controls all of the systems of the body, both voluntary and involuntary. The brain is broken down into 5 lobes. In the front is the frontal lobe which controls basic motor skills, short term memory, emotions, voluntary movements, socials functioning, and creativity. The parietal lobe is located in the middle top of the brain; this portion controls, sensory strip with the 5 basic senses, it gives you the ability to draw, read and write, and perform calculations. The temporal lobe is near the auditory area or the temple of the head. This controls hearing, long term memory, verbal and written recognition memory, and receptive memory. The occipital lobe in the back of the brain controls visual perception. The brain stem connects with the spinal cord and controls heart rate, blood pressure, smell, taste, eye movement, appetite, vision and balance.
Autonomic Nervous System (Nidhi, Jennifer, and Tommy)
The autonomic nervous system moves the impulses from the blood vessels, the heart, all organs in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis to other parts of the brain. Those being, the medulla, pons and hypothalamus. These impulses reach reflex responses, allowing appropriate reactions of the heart, vascular system, and all the organs of the body. There are two major components of the autonomic nervous system, the sympathetic and the parasympathetic systems. They convey impulses form sensory organs, muscles, circulatory system, all the organs of the body to the centers in the medulla, pons, and hypothalamus. From here the two systems carry the impulses throughout the entire body. The sympathetic system reaches the organs through the spinal cord where the messages are given to the other nerves of the body. Through the nervous system, the autonomic nerves release stimuli causing unconscious, reflex bodily adjustments. Those being, the size of the pupil, digestive function, and rate of respiration. The autonomic nervous system prepares the body for the "flight or fight response" by increasing heart rate and blood pressure.
The Peripheral Nervous System (Dalia, Kat, and Erin)
The peripheral nervous system includes the nerves, unlike the central nervous system which includes the brain and the spinal cord. The nerves go outward from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. There are two types of nerves, spinal nerves and cranial nerves. The 31 spinal nerves carry motor, sensory, and autonomic signals between the spinal cord and the body. The 12 cranial nerves control the head of the body. Nerves are made up of peripheral axons (long neurons) that transmit signals.
The Spinal Cord (Marissa, Destiny, and Yessica)
The spinal cord is connected to the medulla oblongata. This is part of the nervous system. From the brain, the spinal cord comes down to the middle of the back and is surrounded/protected by a bony vertebral column. The spinal cord is divided into different segments. Each segment has a pair of nerve fibred. There is thirty-one segments: eight cervical, twelve thoracic, five lumbar, five sacral, and one coccygeal. The length of the spinal cord in men is about 45 cm and 43 cm in women.
10 Diseases
Alzheimer'sA progressive, degenerative disease which occurs in the brain and results in the impairment of the patients memory and behavior.
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Bell's PalsyA series of unexplainable muscle paralysis of the face. It slowly worsens over time.
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MeningitisInflammation of the meninges (the membranes that cover the entire brain).
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Multiple SclerosisAn unpredictable condition that can benign, disabling, or devastating. It leaves the patient unable to speak, walk, or write.
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Muscular DystrophyThe gradual wasting away of muscles with accompanying weakness and deformity.
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Neurocutaneous SyndromeDisorders that can lead to tumors in various parts of the body. It is caused by abnormal development of cells in an embryo.
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Parkinson's DiseaseA slow progressive degenerative disease that is usually associate with the following symptoms, all of which result from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Shaking or trembling of the arms, jaw, legs, and face. Relates to bradykinesis.
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EpilepsyCentral nervous system disorder in which the nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures during which the patient may experience abnormal behavior, symptoms and sensations, including loss of consciousness.
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Arteriovenous MalformationsAn intracranial abnormal tangle of blood vessels in the brain.
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Guillian-Barre Syndrome (AIDP)disorder in which the patients immune system attacks the central nervous system. It often appears following a cold of flu, soar throat or recent immunization.
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