The Central Nervous System
Chapter 12
I.
Lecture Curriculum
A. Brain
1. Study the following structures of the brain. Learn their location
and describe their function.
a. Cerebral hemispheres: gyrus, sulci, fissures, white matter,
and grey matter.
b. Diencephalon: pineal gland (epithalamus), thalamus, and
hypothalamus. The pineal gland secretes the hormone
melatonin. Melatonin acts as a sleep inducing signal and as
an antioxidant. (p. 444)
c. Midbrain: Corpora quadrigemina (superior colliculi –
visual reflex centers that coordinate eye and head
movements. Inferior colliculi – they act in reflexive
response to sound, such as startle reflex).
d. Cerebral peduncles
e. Pons
f. Cerebellum: Purkinji cells and arbor vitae
g. Medulla oblongata: decussation of the pyramids
2. Describe the ventricles of the brain. (pps. 431-433, Fig. 12.5)
3. Describe the cerebral spinal fluid. (p. 463, Fig. 12.26)
a. Formation (choroid plexus) and re-absorption (arachnoid
villi)
b. Function
c. Circulation pathway (ependymal cells)
d. Explain the condition, hydrocephalus.
4. Describe the blood supply to the head.
a. Major blood vessels
b. The blood-brain barrier (p. 463)
c. Circle of Willis (p. 727)
5. Describe the cranial meninges. (p. 461)
6. Describe the following homeostatic imbalances of the brain.
a. Traumatic brain injury: concussion and contusion
b. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
c. Cerebral edema
d. Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
e. Degenerative brain disorders
1) Alzheimer’s Disease
2) Parkinson’s Disease
f. Epileptic seizures
7. Describe the different brain waves (p. 454)
B. Cranial Nerves (pp. 500-508)
1. Learn the twelve pairs of cranial nerves. Which ones are sensory,
motor, or mixed? What is unique about the Vagus nerve?
C. The Spinal Cord, Spinal Nerves, and Reflex Activity
1. Describe the structure of the spinal cord: gray and white matter,
posterior root ganglion, anterior horn, posterior horn, gray
commissure, and central canal.
2. Explain the structure and function of the ascending and
descending tracts.
3. Describe the tree spinal meninges. Explain the following:
a. Epidural space
b. Epidural block
c. Subdural space
d. Lumbar tap and cerebrospinal fluid
e. Subarachnoid space and arachnoid villi
4. How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?
5. Define ganglion.
6. Define nerve plexus. Name four nerve plexus.
a. cervical plexus – major nerve in this plexus is the phrenic.
b. Brachial or thoracic plexus
c. Lumbosacral plexus (this plexus is divided into two
separate plexus in your book). Major nerves: sciatic,
femoral, and saphenous.
7. List the steps associated with a typical reflex arc.
a. Stretch reflex – example: patellar reflex.
b. Ipsilateral and contralateral reflexes (crossed extensor
reflex)
c. Explain the Babinski reflex and vagal reflex.
8. Describe the following clinical conditions:
a. Multiple Sclerosis
b. Spina Bifida (p. 477)
c. Polio Myelitis (p. 476)
d. Paraplegia and quadriplegia (p. 476)