{"id":4501,"date":"2018-10-07T01:25:23","date_gmt":"2018-10-07T05:25:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.amyork.ca\/academic\/zz\/?p=4501"},"modified":"2018-10-07T01:44:49","modified_gmt":"2018-10-07T05:44:49","slug":"anatomy-of-the-nervous-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.amyork.ca\/academic\/zz\/biological-basis-of-behaviour\/anatomy-of-the-nervous-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Anatomy of the Nervous System"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0STRUCTURE OF THE VERTEBRAE iERVOUS SYSTEM <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0Terminology to Describe the iervous System<\/h2>\n
    \n
  • CiS <\/strong>(central nervous system): brain and spinal cord<\/li>\n
  • PiS <\/strong>(peripheral nervous system): connect brain and spinal cord to rest of body<\/li>\n
  • Somatic iS<\/strong>: axons convey messages from sense organs to CNS and from CNS to muscles; axons to muscles are extensions of cell bodies in spinal cord; part of each cell in CNS, part in PNS<\/li>\n
  • Autonomic iS<\/strong>: controls heart, intestines, other organs; some cell bodies within brain or spinal cord, some in clusters along sides of spinal cord<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Anatomical Terms Referring to Direction<\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Dorsal<\/strong>: top of brain — Ventral<\/strong>: bottom of brain<\/li>\n
    • Anterior<\/strong>: front — Posterior<\/strong>: rear<\/li>\n
    • Superior<\/strong>: above another part — Inferior:<\/strong> below another part<\/li>\n
    • Lateral<\/strong>: toward side — Medial<\/strong>: toward midline<\/li>\n
    • Proximal<\/strong>: close to point of origin — Distal<\/strong>: distant from point of origin<\/li>\n
    • Ipsilateral<\/strong>: same side of body — Contralateral<\/strong>: opposite side of body<\/li>\n
    • Coronal plane<\/strong>: brain structure from front — Sagittal plane<\/strong>: side<\/li>\n
    • Horizontal plane<\/strong>: seen from above (transverse plane)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Terms Referring to Parts of iS<\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Lamina<\/strong>: layer of cell bodies separated from other cell bodies by layer of axons and dendrites<\/li>\n
      • Column<\/strong>: set of cells perpendicular to surface of cortex, similar properties<\/li>\n
      • Tract<\/strong>: (projection) set of axons within CNS<\/li>\n
      • ierve<\/strong>: set of axons in periphery, from CNS to muscle\/gland or from sensory organ to CNS<\/li>\n
      • iucleus<\/strong>: cluster of neuron cell bodies w\/in CNS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

        Ganglion<\/strong>: cluster of neuron cell bodies, usually outside CNS<\/p>\n

          \n
        • Gyrus<\/strong>: protuberance on surface of brain<\/li>\n
        • Sulcus<\/strong>: fold that separates one gyrus from another<\/li>\n
        • Fissure<\/strong>: long, deep sulcus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          \u00a0The Spinal Cord<\/h2>\n
            \n
          • Part of CNS within spinal column; communicates with all sense organs and muscles (except those of head); segmented; each segment has sensory and motor nerve on each side<\/li>\n
          • Bell-Magendie law<\/strong>: 1st<\/sup> discoveries about functions of NS; entering dorsal roots<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            (axon bundles) carry sensory info, and exiting ventral roots carry motor info<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Axons to and from the skin and muscles are the PNS<\/li>\n
            • Dorsal Root Ganglia<\/strong>: Cell bodies of sensory neurons in clusters of neurons outside spinal cord; cell bodies of motor neurons inside spinal cord<\/li>\n
            • Gray matter<\/strong>: (H-shaped) center of cord; densely packed with cell bodies and dendrites; many neurons of spinal cord send axons from gray matter to brain or other parts of spinal cord through white matter<\/strong> (mostly myelinated axons)<\/li>\n
            • Each segment of spinal cord sends sensory info to and receives motor commands from brain; all info passes through tracts of axons in spinal cord The Autonomic iervous System <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n
            • Neurons that receive info from & sends commands to heart & intestines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                \n
              1. Sympathetic iS<\/strong>:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                  \n
                • Network of nerves prepare organs for \u201cfight or flight\u201d; chains of ganglia to left and right of spinal cord\u2019s central regions (thoracic and lumbar).<\/li>\n
                • Ganglia connected by axons to spinal cord; closely linked, often act as single system in sympathy with each other; various events activate some parts more than others<\/li>\n
                • Sweat glands, adrenal gland, muscle that constrict blood vessels, muscles that erect hair have ONLY sympathetic input<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  2. <\/em>Parasympathetic iS<\/h3>\n
                    \n
                  • Facilitates nonemergency responses; opposite of sympathetic activities<\/li>\n
                  • Craniosacral system: cranial nerves and nerves from sacral spinal cord<\/li>\n
                  • Unlike ganglia in sympathetic system, parasympathetic ganglia not arranged in chain near spinal cord<\/li>\n
                  • Long preganglionic axons extend from spinal cord to parasympathetic ganglia close to each internal organ; shorter postganglionic fibers extend from parasympathetic ganglia into organs (Ganglia aren\u2019t attached, can act independently)<\/li>\n
                  • Postganglionic axons release Ach, most postganglionic synapses of sympathetic NS use norepinephrine; certain drugs excite\/inhibit different systems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    \u00a0The Hindbrain <\/u><\/strong>\u00a0(rhombencephalon)<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • Posterior part of brain: medulla, pons, cerebellum<\/li>\n
                    • Brain stem<\/strong>: medulla, pons, midbrain, some central structures of the forebrain<\/li>\n
                    • Medulla<\/strong>: above spinal cord, extension of spine into skull; controls vital reflexes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      \uf0e0 breathing, heart rate, vomiting, salivation, coughing, through cranial nerves<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • Cranial nerves: <\/strong>control sensations from head, muscle movements in head, most of parasympathetic output to organs<\/li>\n
                      • Some include both sensory and motor, others just one; receptors and muscles of head and organs connect to brain by 12 pairs of cranial nerves (one on right, one on left); each cranial nerve originates in nucleus<\/strong> that integrates sensory info, regulates motor output or both;<\/li>\n
                      • Cranial nerve nuclei for nerves V through XII are in medulla\/pons, I through IV in midbrain\/forebrain<\/li>\n
                      • Pons<\/strong>: anterior and ventral to medulla; contains nuclei for several cranial nerves; axons from each half of brain cross to opposite side of spinal cord \uf0e0 left hemisphere controls muscles on the right side of body and vice versa<\/li>\n
                      • Medulla and pons contain<\/li>\n
                      • Reticular formation: descending (1 of several brain areas that control motor areas of spinal cord) portions and ascending (sends output to much of cerebral cortex, selectively increasing arousal\/attention in certain areas) portions<\/li>\n
                      • Raphe System: sends axons to much of forebrain, modify brain\u2019s readiness to respond to stimuli<\/li>\n
                      • Cerebellum<\/strong>: large, many deep folds; contributes to control of movement, balance, coordination; damage causes trouble with shifting attention from auditory and visual stimuli, sensory timing. The Midbrain <\/u><\/strong>\u00a0(mesencephalon)<\/li>\n
                      • Middle of the brain, surrounded by forebrain (birds, reptiles, fish, amph.) \uf0b7 Tectum<\/strong>: roof of midbrain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        Superior <\/strong>(vision)\/inferior <\/strong>(hearing) colliculus<\/strong>: swellings on each side of tectum; important for sensory processing<\/p>\n

                          \n
                        • Tegementum<\/strong>: under tectum; intermediate level of midbrain; covers other midbrain structures<\/li>\n
                        • Includes nuclei for 3rd<\/sup> and 4th<\/sup> cranial nerves, parts of reticular formation, extension of pathways between forebrain and spinal cord\/hindbrain<\/li>\n
                        • Substantia nigra<\/strong>: dopamine-containing pathway; readiness for movement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          \u00a0The Forebrain <\/u><\/strong>\u00a0(prosencephalon)<\/p>\n

                            \n
                          • Most prominent part of mammalian brain<\/li>\n
                          • 2 cerebral hemispheres, each organized to receive sensory info; mostly from opposite side of body, control muscles on contralateral side, by way of axons to spinal cord and cranial nerve nuclei<\/li>\n
                          • Cerebral cortex<\/strong>: outer portion<\/li>\n
                          • Limbic system<\/strong>: interlinked structures, form border around brainstem; important for motivations and emotions (ex: eating, drinking, sexual activity, anxiety, aggression<\/li>\n
                          • Includes: olfactory bulb, hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, cingulate gyrus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            Thalamus<\/h3>\n
                              \n
                            • Thalamus and hypothalamus form the diencephalon<\/li>\n
                            • Pair of structures in center of forebrain, one in each of the hemispheres<\/li>\n
                            • Most sensory info goes here 1st<\/sup>, which processes it, sends output to cerebral cortex<\/li>\n
                            • Exception: olfactory info \uf0e0 progresses from olfactory receptors to olfactory bulbs, then directly to cerebral cortex<\/li>\n
                            • Many nuclei of thalamus receive input from a sensory system, transmit info to single area in cerebral cortex; cerebral cortex sends info back to thalamus, prolong certain kinds of input and expense of others \uf0e0 focus attention on stimuli<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              Hypothalamus<\/h3>\n
                                \n
                              • Small area near base of brain; ventral to thalamus, connections with rest of forebrain and midbrain (contains many distinct nuclei)<\/li>\n
                              • Through nerves and hypothalamic hormones, conveys messages to pituitary gland, alerting its release of hormones<\/li>\n
                              • Damage to hypothalamic nuclei \uf0e0 abnormalities in motivated behaviours Pituitary Gland<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

                                Endocrine gland attached to base of hypothalamus by a stalk that contains neurons, blood vessels and connective tissue<\/p>\n

                                  \n
                                • In response to messages from hypothalamus, synthesizes hormones that blood carries to organs throughout the body Basal Ganglia<\/strong><\/li>\n
                                • Group of subcortical structures lateral to thalamus, includes:<\/li>\n
                                • Caudate nucleus, putamen and globus pallidus<\/li>\n
                                • Subdivisions that exchange info with different parts of cerebral cortex<\/li>\n
                                • Set of structures important for certain aspects of movement<\/li>\n
                                • Involved in learning, remembering how to do something, attention, language, planning, other cognitive functions Basal Forebrain<\/strong><\/li>\n
                                • Lies on ventral surface of forebrain<\/li>\n
                                • iucleus basalis<\/strong>: receives input from hypothalamus and basal ganglia \uf0e0 sends axons that release Ach to areas in cerebral cortex; part of brain\u2019s system for arousal, wakefulness and attention<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  Hippocampus<\/h3>\n
                                    \n
                                  • Large structure between thalamus and cerebral cortex, posterior of forebrain<\/li>\n
                                  • Critical for storing memories, especially of individual events<\/li>\n
                                  • Damage: can\u2019t store new memories, don\u2019t lose memories before damage The Ventricles <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n
                                  • NS begins development as a tube surrounding a fluid canal \uf0e0 canal persists into adulthood as central canal<\/strong> (fluid-filled channel in center of the spinal cord) and as ventricles<\/strong> (4 fluid-filled cavities in the brain)<\/li>\n
                                  • Each hemisphere contains 1 of 2 large lateral ventricles; towards posterior, connect with 3rd<\/sup> ventricle (positioned at midline), separating right and left thalamus; 3rd<\/sup> ventricle connects to 4th<\/sup> in center of medulla<\/li>\n
                                  • Cells called choroid plexus<\/strong> inside 4 vesicles produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)<\/strong> (clear fluid similar to blood plasma); CSF fills ventricles, flowing from lateral ventricles to 3rd<\/sup> and 4th<\/sup> \uf0e0 from 4th<\/sup> ventricle, some flows into central canal of spinal cord, more goes into narrow spaces between brain and thin meninges <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                    (membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord)<\/p>\n

                                      \n
                                    • In one of narrow spaces, subarachnoid space, blood gradually reabsorbs CSF; brain has no receptors, but meninges do (inflammation is painful)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                      Cerebrospinal fluid cushions brain against mechanical shock when head moves; provides buoyancy; supports weight of brain; reservoir of hormones and nutrition for brain and spinal cord<\/p>\n

                                        \n
                                      • If flow of CSF obstructed \uf0e0 accumulates within ventricles or in subarachnoid space, increasing pressure on brain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                        THE CEREBRAL CORTEX<\/h2>\n
                                          \n
                                        • Consists of cellular layers on outer surface of cerebral hemisphere; cells are grey matter, and axons extending inward are white matter<\/li>\n
                                        • Neurons in each hemisphere communicate with neurons in other part of brain, through 2 bundles of axons: corpus callosum<\/strong> and anterior commissure<\/strong>; other commissures (path across midline), link subcortical structures<\/li>\n
                                        • Cerebral cortex forms higher % in brain of primates<\/strong>, than other species of same size; as size devoted to forebrain increases, relative size of midbrain\/medulla decrease.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                          \u00a0Organization of the Cerebral Cortex<\/h2>\n
                                            \n
                                          • Microscopic structure of cells of cerebral cortex vary from one cortical area to next, correlate with differences in function<\/li>\n
                                          • In humans and other mammals, cerebral cortex contains up to 6 distinct laminae<\/strong> (layers of cell bodies parallel to surface of cortex, separated by layers of fibre)<\/li>\n
                                          • Vary in thickness and prominence between brain areas, can be absent<\/li>\n
                                          • Lamina V: sends long axons to spinal cord and other distant areas; thickest in motor cortex (greatest control of muscles)<\/li>\n
                                          • Lamina IV: receives axons from various sensory nuclei of thalamus is prominent in all primary sensory areas, absent in motor cortex<\/li>\n
                                          • Cells of cortex organized into columns<\/strong> of cells perpendicular to the laminae; cells within a column have similar properties The Occipital Lobe <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n
                                          • Posterior (caudal) end of cortex, main target for visual info.<\/li>\n
                                          • Posterior pole of occipital lobe \uf0e0 primary visual cortex (striate cortex) \uf0e0 destruction causes cortical blindness in that part of visual field (ex: normal eyes and pupillary reflexes, but no conscious visual perception or visual imagery \u2013 not even dreams)<\/li>\n
                                          • People with eye damage become blind, an intact occipital cortex and previous visual experience \uf0e0 imagine visual scenes<\/li>\n
                                          • Eyes provide stimulus, and visual cortex provides the experience<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                            \u00a0The Parietal Lobe<\/h2>\n
                                              \n
                                            • Lies between occipital lobe and central sulcus<\/strong> (deepest grooves in surface of cortex); area just posterior to central sulcus; postcentral gyrus<\/strong> (primary somatosensory cortex) \uf0e0 receives sensations from touch, muscle-stretch, joint receptors<\/li>\n
                                            • Postcentral gyrus includes 4 bands of cells parallel to central sulcus<\/li>\n
                                            • Separate areas along each band receive simultaneous info from different parts of body; 2 receive mostly light-touch info; one receives deep pressure info; one receives a combo of both<\/li>\n
                                            • Postcentral gyrus represents the body 4 times<\/li>\n
                                            • Info about touch and body location important for interpreting visual and auditory info; parietal lobe monitors all info about eye, head, and body positions and passes it on to brain areas that control movement<\/li>\n
                                            • Lobe not only essential for spatial info, also essential for numerical info The Temporal Lobe <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n
                                            • Lateral portion of each hemisphere, near the temples<\/li>\n
                                            • Primary cortical target for auditory info; left temporal lobe (human temporal lobe) essential to understand spoken language<\/li>\n
                                            • Lobe contributes to complex aspects of vision \uf0e0 perception of movement, recognition of faces.<\/li>\n
                                            • Tumour here can give rise to hallucinations (auditory\/visual); tumour in occipital lobe involve simple sensations (flashes of light)<\/li>\n
                                            • Important for emotional and motivational behaviour<\/li>\n
                                            • Damage \uf0e0 Kluver-Bucy Syndrome<\/strong> (behavioural disorder; don\u2019t experience normal fears and anxiety; possibly due to emotional\/cognitive change) The Frontal Lobe <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n
                                            • Primary motor cortex and prefrontal cortex; extends from central sulcus to anterior limit of brain<\/li>\n
                                            • Posterior portion of frontal lobe just anterior to central sulcus is precentral sulcus <\/strong>(specialized for control of fine movements \u2013 moving one finger at a time)<\/li>\n
                                            • Separate areas responsible for different parts of body, mostly on contralateral, sometimes slight control of ipsilateral side)<\/li>\n
                                            • Prefrontal cortex<\/strong>: most anterior portion of frontal lobes; integrates much info<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                              Modern View of the Prefrontal Cortex<\/h3>\n
                                                \n
                                              • Different parts perform different functions<\/li>\n
                                              • Major function is working memory; ability to remember recent events<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                Damage to prefrontal cortex \uf0e0 trouble on delayed-response task<\/strong> (see\/hear something, then have to respond after delaying)<\/p>\n

                                                  \n
                                                • Making decisions and planning movements; behaviors depending on context<\/li>\n
                                                • Prefrontal cortex damage \uf0e0 fail to adjust context (behave inappropriately)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                  Rise and Fall of Prefrontal Lobotomies<\/h3>\n
                                                    \n
                                                  • Prefrontal lobotomy<\/strong>: surgical disconnection of prefrontal cortex to the rest of the brain \uf0e0 damaging prefrontal cortex\/cutting connection with rest of cortex<\/li>\n
                                                  • Make patients tamer without impairing sensation or coordination<\/li>\n
                                                  • Consequences: apathy, loss of ability to plan, memory disorders, loss of emotion<\/li>\n
                                                  • Discontinued with the invention of psychotropic drugs How do the parts work together? <\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n
                                                  • Binding problem:<\/strong> (large-scale integration) how various brain areas produce perception of a single object; association areas perform advanced processing on certain sensory system; few cells combine senses<\/li>\n
                                                  • Binding: occurs when perceive 2 sensations as happening at same time, in same place<\/li>\n
                                                  • Simultaneity of lights and sounds causes you to bind them and perceive an illusion<\/li>\n
                                                  • Binding depends on perceiving 2 or more aspects of stimulus as coming from approximately same location<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                    RESEARCH METHODS\u00a0 Effects of Brain damage<\/h2>\n
                                                      \n
                                                    • Broca: damage to left frontal cortex; lose ability to speak<\/li>\n
                                                    • Reports of behavioural impairments after brain damage; inability to recognize faces or perceive motion, shift in attention to right side of body and world, increased\/decreased hunger, change in emotional responses, memory impairments, etc.<\/li>\n
                                                    • Human studies have limitations: few people have damages confined to one area, and no 2 people have exact same damage<\/li>\n
                                                    • Produce localized damage in animals<\/li>\n
                                                    • Ablation<\/strong>: remove brain area (surgical knife)<\/li>\n
                                                    • Lesion<\/strong>: damage to inner brain area, with a stereotaxic instrument (device for precise placement of electrodes in brain, to damage a specific area)<\/li>\n
                                                    • Gene-knockout: biochemical methods to direct a mutation to particular gene that is important for certain types of cells, transmitters or receptors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                      \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

                                                      Transcranial magnetic stimulation<\/strong>: apply intense magnetic field to a portion of the scalp, temporarily inactivates neurons below the magnet<\/p>\n

                                                        \n
                                                      • After any damage\/inactivation, need to specify exact behavioural deficit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                        \u00a0Effects of Brain Stimulation<\/h2>\n
                                                          \n
                                                        • If brain damage impairs some behaviour, stimulation should increase it; insert electrodes to stimulate brain areas<\/li>\n
                                                        • Optogenetics<\/strong>: turn on activity in targeted neurons by device that shines laser light within brain<\/li>\n
                                                        • For humans, insert electrodes into already exposed brain OR apply magnetic field to scalp to stimulate brain areas beneath it (less invasive)<\/li>\n
                                                        • Limitation \uf0e0 complex behaviors\/experiences depend on temporal pattern of activity across many brain areas not just general increase of activity in 1 \uf0b7 Artificial stimulation \uf0e0 artificial response.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                          \u00a0Recording Brain Activity<\/h2>\n
                                                            \n
                                                          • Damage to some brain area impairs behavior and stimulation of area increases behaviour<\/li>\n
                                                          • In animals, insert electrodes to record brain activity or record activity of many individual neurons at same time<\/li>\n
                                                          • EEG <\/strong>(electroencephalograph): records electrical activity of brain through electrodes attached to scalp that measure average activity at any moment of population of cells under it; output amplified and recorded;<\/li>\n
                                                          • Evoked potentials\/responses<\/strong>: results of device recording spontaneous brain activity\/activity response to<\/li>\n
                                                          • MEG<\/strong> (magnetoencephalograph): measures faint magnetic fields generated by brain activity; identifies approximate location of activity to close range; identify times at which various brain areas respond, trace a wave of brain activity to point of origin to all areas that process it<\/li>\n
                                                          • PET <\/strong>(positron-emission tomography): high-resolution image of activity in living brain by recording emission of radioactivity from injected chemicals<\/li>\n
                                                          • Receive injection of chemical containing radioactive atoms; when radioactive atom decays \uf0e0 releases positron that collides with nearby electron, emitting 2 gamma rays in opposite directions;<\/li>\n
                                                          • Head surrounded by gamma ray detectors; when 2 detectors record gamma rays at same time, identify a spot half-way between as point of origin; computer uses info to determine how much radioactive chemical is located in each area; ones with most radioactivity \uf0e0 most blood flow \uf0e0 most brain activity<\/li>\n
                                                          • fMRI <\/strong>(functional magnetic resonance imaging): PET scans replaced by fMRI\u2019s (less expensive\/risky); regular MRIs record energy released by H2O molecules after removal of magnetic field; fMRI based on haemoglobin (with O2 reacts to magnetic field differently then without O2)<\/li>\n
                                                          • When brain area active; blood vessels dilate to allow more blood flow; as brain area uses O2, % of haemoglobin without oxygen increases<\/li>\n
                                                          • Complex to interpret; given area can have many functions; if we think we know what an fMRI pattern means, use pattern to identify what someone is doing or thinking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                            \u00a0Correlating Brain Anatomy with Behaviour<\/h2>\n