A&P 101
NERVOUS SYSTEM LAB
I. Spinal Chord
Draw a cross section of the spinal cord on a piece of white drawing paper. This drawing should include the
shape of the central gray matter.
Label the following structures:
White Matter
Gray Matter – Dorsal (posterior) horn, Ventral (anterior) horn
Anterior Median Fissure
Posterior Median Sulcus
Central Canal
White Columns – Anterior, Lateral, posterior
2. Answer related questions on the Questions Sheet.
II. Human Brain
1. Obtain a model of the human brain. Using your textbook and lab manual as references, locate and study
each of the following structures from the list, "Major Structures of the Human Brain".
2. Answer related questions on the Questions Sheet.
MAJOR STRUCTURES OF THE HUMAN BRAIN
CEREBRUM
Cerebral Hemispheres
Longitudinal Fissure
Cerebral Lobes: Frontal, Parietal, Temporal,
Occipital, Insula
Cerebral Cortex
Convolutions (Gyri)
CEREBELLUM
Cerebellar Hemispheres
Transverse Fissure
Vermis
DIENCEPHALON
Thalamus
BRAINSTEM
Medulla Oblongata
Convolutions (Gyri)
Sulci
Hypothalamus
Pons
FLUID SPACES
First and Second (Lateral) Ventricles
Third Ventricle
Fourth Ventricle
CRANIAL NERVES
I. Olfactory Nerve (Bulb & Tract)
II. Optic Nerve (Chiasma & Tract)
III. Oculomotor Nerve
IV. Trochlear Nerve
ASSOCIATED STRUCTURES
Pituitary Gland
Infundibulum (Pituitary Stalk)
Sulci
Corpus Callosum
Septum Pellucidum
Fornix
Cerebral Tracts
Cerebellar Peduncles: Inferior,
Middle, Superior
Arbor Vitae
Mamillary Bodies
Pineal Body
Midbrain:
Corpora Quadrigemina: Superior Colliculi (2); inferior Colliculi (2)
Cerebral Peduncles
Cerebral Aqueduct (Aqueduct of Sylvius)
Central Canal
V. Trigeminal Nerve
VI. Abducens Nerve
VII. Facial Nerve
VIII. Vestibulocochlear Nerve
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
Glossopharyngeal Nerve
Vagus Nerve
Accessory Nerve
Hypoglossal Nerve
III. Sheep Brain
1. Obtain a sheep brain (work in pairs) and rinse it well.
2. Observe the meninges covering the brain (if present).
3. CAREFULLY remove the meninges, using special caution on the undersurface of the brain so as not to tear
the pituitary gland and cranial nerves.
4. Locate each of the following structures from the list, "Major Structures Of The Sheep Brain", using your lab
manual (Color Gallery) and the Rust lab manual for reference. The location of some of these structures will
require a midsagittal cut of the sheep brain.
5. Compare the anatomy of the human and sheep brain, noting differences.
6. Answer related questions on the Questions Sheet.
MAJOR STRUCTURES OF THE SHEEP BRAIN
CEREBRUM
Cerebral Hemispheres
Longitudinal Fissure
Cerebral Cortex
Convolutions (Gyri)
Sulci
Corpus Callosum
CEREBELLUM
Cerebellar Hemispheres
Transverse Fissure
Vermis
DIENCEPHALON
Thalamus
Septum Pellucidum
Fornix
Cerebral Tracts
Convolutions (Gyri)
Sulci
Hypothalamus
Cerebellar Peduncles: Inferior,
Middle, Superior
Arbor Vitae
Mamillary Body
Pineal Body
BRAINSTEM
Medulla Oblongata
Pon
Midbrain
Corpora Quadrigemina: Superior Colliculi (2); Inferior Colliculi (2); Cerebral Peduncles
FLUID SPACES
First and Second (Lateral) Ventricles
Third Ventricle
Fourth Ventricle
Cerebral Aqueduct (Aqueduct of Sylvius)
Central Canal
CRANIAL NERVES (Locate as many as possible at least through VI)
I. Olfactory Nerve (Bulb & Tract)
V. Trigeminal Nerve
II. Optic Nerve (Chiasma & Tract)
VI. Abducens Nerve
III. Oculomotor Nerve
VII. Facial Nerve
IV. Trochlear Nerve
VIII. Vestibulocochlear Nerve
ASSOCIATED STRUCTURES
Pituitary Gland
Infundibulum (Pituitary Stalk)
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
Glossopharyngeal Nerve
Vagus Nerve
Accessory Nerve
Hypoglossal Nerve
QUESTIONS SHEET
Spinal Chord
1. What does the white matter of the spinal cord consist of?
2. What does the gray matter of the spinal cord consist of?
3. Discuss the major function of the spinal cord's white matter.
4. Discuss the major function of the spinal cord's gray matter.
5. Based on the functions of the spinal cord's gray and white matter, what would you expect the results of
spinal cord injury to be?
Brain
1. What are the major divisions of the brain?
2. Describe the location and divisions of the diencephalon.
3. Describe the arrangement of gray and white matter in each of
the following structures.
a. Cerebrum
b. Cerebellum
c. Brainstem
4. List the major functions of each of the following structures.
a. Cerebrum
b. Cerebellum
c. Thalamus
d. Hypothalamus
e. Pineal Body
f. Medulla Oblongata
g. Pons and Midbrain
5. Why is the cerebrum the largest region of the brain?
(Hint: Structure complements Function)
6. Based on the answer given in the previous question, why do you think the cerebrum is folded (in
convolutions) rather than flat?
7. Describe the fluid spaces of the brain and spinal cord. What is the name and the function of the fluid that
circulates within these spaces?
8. What are cranial nerves?
9. List numbers, names, and functions of each of the sensory cranial nerves. Why are they known as sensory
nerves?
10. List numbers, names, and functions of each of the motor cranial nerves. Why are they known as motor
nerves?
11. List numbers, names, and functions of each of the mixed cranial nerves. Why are they known as mixed
nerves?
12. Digoxin (Lanoxin), a drug that stimulates the vagus nerve, has been administered to a patient. What effect
would this drug have on the patient's pulse rate?
III. Sheep Brain
1. What differences did you note between the human and sheep brain?