Neurological System and Disorders - Nursing Study Notes

ATLAND Nursing
Neurological System and Disorders

Nursing Study Notes

Overview of Anatomy and Physiology of the Brain and Spinal Cord
The nervous system is organized into structural and functional aspects.

The structural classification has two divisions:

 Central Nervous System(CNS) comprises the brain and spinal cord
 Peripheral Nervous System(PNS) comprises nerves extending from the brain and
spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

 The PNS consists of 31 pairs of nerves, categorized under different functions.
a. Sensory nerves from the anterior roots transmit impulses to the CNS.
b. Motor nerves from the posterior roots transmit impulses from the CNS.
c. Mixed nerves formed by joining sensory and motor roots.
 Autonomic nervous system controls involuntary activities.
Sympathetic (adrenergic) contracts blood vessels, elevates heart rate, dilates pupils,
relaxes bronchi smooth muscles
Parasympathetic (cholinergic) performs the opposite of the adrenergic.
 Neurons
Comprises a cell body, axon, and dendrites.
a. The cell body is the metabolic center for the neuron and contains the nucleus.
b. The axon transmits impulses from the cell body
c. The dendrites receive impulses and transmit them to the axon
d. Schwann cells form the myelin sheath which provides insulation to the neurons and
increases the transmission rate of the impulses.

 Neurotransmitters
They include Acetylcholine, Norepinephrine, Dopamine, Serotonin, Aminoacids, and
Polypeptides.




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,Central Nervous System

The Brain




Cerebrum
 The consists of left and right hemispheres.
 Controls sensory and motor functions; learning and thought process.
Cerebral cortex
 Outer gray layer
 Controls conscious activities of the cerebrum.
 Comprised of 5 lobes.
a. Frontal Lobe
 Broca’s area for speech
 Morals, emotions, reasoning and judgment, concentration, and abstraction.4e
b. Parietal Lobe
 Somatic sensory area which interprets temperature, pain, pressure, and taste.
c. Temporal Lobe
 Auditory area
 Wernicke’s area for sensory and speech comprehension.
d. Occipital Lobe
 Has the Visual area.




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, e. Limbic System
 Memory and learning
 Emotional-visceral survival patterns.
Basal ganglia
 Cells found in the white matter that aids in smooth voluntary movements performed by the
cerebral cortex to produce smooth voluntary movement.
Diencephalon
 Comprised of two structures Thalamus and Hypothalamus
 Thalamus forms part of the reticular activating system, passes impulse(sensory) to the
cortex, and serves as a pain gate.
 Hypothalamus regulates the pituitary gland, center for the autonomic nervous system,
and regulates body temperature, stress, appetite, sleep, and fluid balance.
Brainstem
 Comprised of midbrain, pons, and Medulla Oblongata
 Pons regulates breathing,
 Midbrain coordinates motor activities and has an auditory relay and visual reflex center.
 Medulla Oblongata has centers for cardiac, vasomotor, vomiting, and respiratory; serve
to control vomiting, swallowing, coughing, and heart rate.
Cerebellum controls balance and equilibrium; controls smooth muscle movement and tone.




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, Meninges

Comprise of tissue membranes that cover and protect the CNS.

 Dura mater is the outermost layer, tough, and fibrous.
 Arachnoid contains cerebrospinal fluid.
 Pia matter innermost layer.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Circulates in the subarachnoid space following secretion in the ventricles.

Offers protection to the nervous tissue from trauma and blows.

Helps in the exchange of nutrients and wastes.

Volume level 125-150mls.

Pressure level 50-175 mm H2O or 7-15 mmHg.

Ventricles

The brain is comprised of four ventricles.

They produce and circulate CSF.

Vasculature

The brain is supplied by right and left internal carotid arteries, right and left vertebral arteries.

The arteries form the circle of Willis at the base of the brain.




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