Neuropsychology
Problem 1
The Nervous System
2 nervous system
Central nervous system: Contains the brain and the spinal cord.
Peripheral nervous system: Provides the connection between the body and the spinal cord
to the rest of the body.
Peripheral nervous system controls somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system.
Somatic nervous system is voluntary and involuntary.
Autonomic nervous system is involuntary.
Somatic Nervous System
Somatic nervous system: Responsible for the communication with the external world.
Has two types of neurons:
Afferent neuron: Carries information from the skin, skeleton, muscles etc. to the central
nervous system.
Efferent neuron: Transports motor information from the central nervous system to the
muscles.
This process is voluntary.
Autonomous Nervous System
Autonomous nervous system: Internal regulation of the body.
Has two types of neurons:
Afferent neurons: Nervous that carry sensory information from the organs to the central
nervous system.
Efferent neurons: Carry motor signals from from the central nervous system to organs.
It is the involuntary nervous system.
Has two branches: sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Sympathetic nervous system: Network of nerves that prepare for the organs for vigorous
activity.
Involved in fight or flight response.
, Speeds up breathing, increasing the heart rate and inhibiting the digestive system.
Sympathic nerves generate energy.
Parasympathetic nerves: Involved in resting.
The heart rate is lowered, the digestive system is activated and energy is conserved.
Both these systems are always active.
Together, they create homeostasis.
Basic Features of the Nervous System
Neuraxis: An imaginary line drawn through the center of the length of the central nervous system,
from the bottom of the spinal cord to the front of the forebrain.
Anterior: With respect to the central nervous system, located near or towards the head.
Posterior: Located near or towards the tail.
Rostral: Toward the beak in a direction along the neuraxis toward the front of the face.
Caudal: Toward the tail in a direction along the neuraxis away from the front of the face.
Dorsal: Toward the back in a direction perpendicular to the neuraxis toward the top of the head or
the back.
Ventral: Toward the belly in a direction perpendicular to the neuraxis toward the bottom of the skull
or the front surface of the body.
Lateral: Toward the side of the body, away from the middle.
Medial: Toward the middle of the body away from the side.
Superior: Top of the head.
Inferior: Bottom of the head.
,Ipsilateral: Located on the same side of the body.
Contralateral: Located on the opposite side of the body.
3 ways to slice the nervous system:
1) Transeversely, giving us the cross section (frontal section in the brain).
Coss section: A slice taken at right angles to the neuraxis.
Frontal section: A slice through the brain parallel to the forehead.
2) Parallel to the ground, giving us the horizontal sections.
Horizontal section: A slice through the brain parallel to the ground.
3) Perpendicular to the ground and parallel to the neuraxis, giving us sagittal sections. The
midsagittal plane divides the brain into two symmetrical halves.
Segittal section: A slice through the brain parallel to the neuraxis ammd perpendicular to
the ground.
Midsagittal plane: The plane through the neuraxis perpendicular to the ground; divides
the brain into two symmetrical halves.
Central nervous system: Brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral nervous system: Nerves
and peripheral ganglia.
Meninges
, Meninges: The three layers of tissue that encase the central nervous system: the dura matter,
arachnoid membrane, and pia mater.
Dura mater: The outermost of the meninges; though, and flexible.
Arachnoid membrane: The middle layer of the meninges; located between the outer dura mater and
inner pia mater.
Pia mater: The layer of the meninges that clings to the surface of the brain; thin and delciate.
Subarachnoid space: The fluid-filled space that cushions the brain; located between the arachnoid
membrane and the pia membrane.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): A clear fluid that fills the ventricular system of the brain and the
subarachnoid space surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Blood brain barrier: A semipermeable barrier between the blood and the brain produced by the cells
in the walls of the brain’s capillaries.
Selectively permeable.
Blood-brain barrier makes it easier to regulate the composition of extracellular fluid.
It also prevents the transmission of chemicals contained in food from reaching the brain.
Large molecules pass via active transport.
Small and uncharged molecules pass via passive transport.
Water passes through diffusion.
Problem 1
The Nervous System
2 nervous system
Central nervous system: Contains the brain and the spinal cord.
Peripheral nervous system: Provides the connection between the body and the spinal cord
to the rest of the body.
Peripheral nervous system controls somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system.
Somatic nervous system is voluntary and involuntary.
Autonomic nervous system is involuntary.
Somatic Nervous System
Somatic nervous system: Responsible for the communication with the external world.
Has two types of neurons:
Afferent neuron: Carries information from the skin, skeleton, muscles etc. to the central
nervous system.
Efferent neuron: Transports motor information from the central nervous system to the
muscles.
This process is voluntary.
Autonomous Nervous System
Autonomous nervous system: Internal regulation of the body.
Has two types of neurons:
Afferent neurons: Nervous that carry sensory information from the organs to the central
nervous system.
Efferent neurons: Carry motor signals from from the central nervous system to organs.
It is the involuntary nervous system.
Has two branches: sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Sympathetic nervous system: Network of nerves that prepare for the organs for vigorous
activity.
Involved in fight or flight response.
, Speeds up breathing, increasing the heart rate and inhibiting the digestive system.
Sympathic nerves generate energy.
Parasympathetic nerves: Involved in resting.
The heart rate is lowered, the digestive system is activated and energy is conserved.
Both these systems are always active.
Together, they create homeostasis.
Basic Features of the Nervous System
Neuraxis: An imaginary line drawn through the center of the length of the central nervous system,
from the bottom of the spinal cord to the front of the forebrain.
Anterior: With respect to the central nervous system, located near or towards the head.
Posterior: Located near or towards the tail.
Rostral: Toward the beak in a direction along the neuraxis toward the front of the face.
Caudal: Toward the tail in a direction along the neuraxis away from the front of the face.
Dorsal: Toward the back in a direction perpendicular to the neuraxis toward the top of the head or
the back.
Ventral: Toward the belly in a direction perpendicular to the neuraxis toward the bottom of the skull
or the front surface of the body.
Lateral: Toward the side of the body, away from the middle.
Medial: Toward the middle of the body away from the side.
Superior: Top of the head.
Inferior: Bottom of the head.
,Ipsilateral: Located on the same side of the body.
Contralateral: Located on the opposite side of the body.
3 ways to slice the nervous system:
1) Transeversely, giving us the cross section (frontal section in the brain).
Coss section: A slice taken at right angles to the neuraxis.
Frontal section: A slice through the brain parallel to the forehead.
2) Parallel to the ground, giving us the horizontal sections.
Horizontal section: A slice through the brain parallel to the ground.
3) Perpendicular to the ground and parallel to the neuraxis, giving us sagittal sections. The
midsagittal plane divides the brain into two symmetrical halves.
Segittal section: A slice through the brain parallel to the neuraxis ammd perpendicular to
the ground.
Midsagittal plane: The plane through the neuraxis perpendicular to the ground; divides
the brain into two symmetrical halves.
Central nervous system: Brain and spinal cord.
Peripheral nervous system: Nerves
and peripheral ganglia.
Meninges
, Meninges: The three layers of tissue that encase the central nervous system: the dura matter,
arachnoid membrane, and pia mater.
Dura mater: The outermost of the meninges; though, and flexible.
Arachnoid membrane: The middle layer of the meninges; located between the outer dura mater and
inner pia mater.
Pia mater: The layer of the meninges that clings to the surface of the brain; thin and delciate.
Subarachnoid space: The fluid-filled space that cushions the brain; located between the arachnoid
membrane and the pia membrane.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): A clear fluid that fills the ventricular system of the brain and the
subarachnoid space surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Blood brain barrier: A semipermeable barrier between the blood and the brain produced by the cells
in the walls of the brain’s capillaries.
Selectively permeable.
Blood-brain barrier makes it easier to regulate the composition of extracellular fluid.
It also prevents the transmission of chemicals contained in food from reaching the brain.
Large molecules pass via active transport.
Small and uncharged molecules pass via passive transport.
Water passes through diffusion.
