Malcolm Rivera
The central nervous system (CNS) is the body's processing centre, consisting of the brain and spinal cord. The brain is the body's headquarters, controlling everything from thoughts and feelings to movements and sensations. It is divided into the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain. The spinal cord, on the other hand, carries messages between the brain and the nerves that run throughout the body. Together, the brain and spinal cord form the CNS, which is located within the dorsal body cavity, protected by bone structures, connective tissue, and cerebrospinal fluid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Body parts that constitute the central nervous system | Brain and spinal cord |
| Parts of the brain | Forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain, cerebrum, brainstem, cerebellum, thalamus, hypothalamus, pons, medulla oblongata |
| Functions of the central nervous system | Receiving, processing, and responding to sensory information |
| Regulating thoughts, feelings, movements, memory, learning, heartbeat, breathing patterns, etc. | |
| Protection | Skull, meninges, cerebrospinal fluids |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The brain and its three main regions: the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain
The brain is an organ of nervous tissue responsible for responses, sensation, movement, emotions, communication, thought processing, and memory. It is the largest and most highly developed part of the human brain. The brain can be divided into three basic units: the forebrain, the midbrain, and the hindbrain.
The forebrain is the largest part of the brain and includes the cerebrum, with the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus. It is responsible for various functions, including receiving and processing sensory information, thinking, perceiving, producing and understanding language, and controlling motor functions. The forebrain is home to sensory processing, endocrine structures, and higher reasoning. It handles higher cognitive functions and consists of the cerebral hemispheres, which account for two-thirds of the brain's total mass.
The midbrain is located below the cerebral cortex and above the hindbrain, placing it near the center of the brain. It is involved in auditory and visual processing and is responsible for eye movement. The midbrain plays a role in motor movement and audio/visual processing. It is the smallest region of the brain and is located most centrally within the cranial cavity. The midbrain helps the brain communicate with the rest of the nervous system.
The hindbrain is located at the back of the head and looks like an extension of the spinal cord. It contains the medulla oblongata, pons, and cerebellum (collectively known as the brainstem). The hindbrain is involved with autonomic functions such as respiratory rhythms and sleep. It manages coordination, balance, and autonomic functions like breathing and heart rate. The cerebellum coordinates movement and is involved in learned movements.
The Preamble: An Essential Part of the Philippine Constitution
You may want to see also
The spinal cord, which is surrounded by a bony vertebrae backbone
The spinal cord is a vital component of the central nervous system (CNS), which also includes the brain. The spinal cord is located within the vertebral column, surrounded and protected by a set of ring-shaped bones called vertebrae. These bones form the backbone, providing structural support and protection to the spinal cord.
The spinal cord has a critical role in transmitting motor commands from the brain to the peripheral body and relaying sensory information from the sensory organs back to the brain. It acts as a conduit for signals, enabling communication between the brain and the rest of the body. This bidirectional flow of information is essential for various bodily functions, including movement, sensation, and coordination.
The spinal cord is composed of both gray matter and white matter, each serving distinct functions. During the sixth week of gestation, the gray matter aggregates to form the dorsal alar and ventral basal plates. Interneurons originate from the alar plate, while motor neurons arise from the basal plate. White matter, on the other hand, is predominantly composed of axons—long cords extending from neurons.
The white matter in the spinal cord is characterized by its external position, enveloping the internal gray matter. Most axons in the white matter are insulated by myelin, a white, fatty substance that facilitates rapid and reliable signal transmission. This myelin sheath is crucial for maintaining the integrity and speed of nerve impulses, ensuring efficient communication within the CNS and between the CNS and the peripheral nervous system.
The spinal cord, along with the brain, is protected by three layers of membranes called meninges and cerebrospinal fluid, which acts as a cushion and buffer. This fluid circulates through hollow spaces in the brain, known as ventricles, and around the spine in the spinal column. It provides essential protection, nourishment, and waste removal for the CNS, contributing to its overall health and functionality.
Understanding the Framework: Constitution's Key Components
You may want to see also
The thalamus, which is the brain's relay centre
The central nervous system (CNS) is a processing centre that manages everything the body does, from thoughts and feelings to movements. The CNS is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The brain controls how we think, learn, move and feel, while the spinal cord carries messages between the brain and the nerves that run throughout the body.
The thalamus is a complex, egg-shaped structure in the middle of the brain. It is the brain's relay centre, receiving and processing sensory information from the body and sending it to the relevant part of the brain to be interpreted. It is also involved in regulating sleep and wakefulness, and plays a role in consciousness, learning and memory.
All motor and sensory signals (except smell) pass through the thalamus. Each sensory function has a thalamic nucleus that receives, processes and transmits the information to its related area within the cerebral cortex. For example, visual information travels from the retina to the optic nerve and then to the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus, which processes the information and sends it to the primary visual cortex for interpretation. The signals are then passed onto the cerebral cortex for further interpretation.
The thalamus also plays a role in corticocortical communication, with thalamocortical pathways relaying information from ascending pathways (first-order thalamic relays) and other cortical areas (higher-order thalamic relays). The thalamus is arranged in regions called nuclei, each of which is specialised to deal with particular information.
The hypothalamus, one of the smallest parts of the brain, is responsible for maintaining homeostasis. It connects the CNS to the endocrine system and regulates vital functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, appetite, thirst, temperature and the release of various hormones.
The Unwritten UK Constitution: A Complex, Multi-Part Document
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The hypothalamus, which is a small but vital part of the brain
The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The brain is responsible for responses, sensation, movement, emotions, communication, thought processing, and memory. The spinal cord, on the other hand, carries messages between the brain and the nerves that run throughout the body.
The hypothalamus is a small but vital part of the brain. It is about the size of an almond and is located below the thalamus and above the pituitary gland. It is highly interconnected with other parts of the central nervous system, particularly the brainstem and its reticular formation. It is also connected to other limbic structures, including the amygdala and septum, as well as areas of the autonomous nervous system.
One of the most important functions of the hypothalamus is to link the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. It helps maintain homeostasis, a stable internal state, by regulating heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, appetite, thirst, sleep patterns, and the release of various hormones. For example, if the hypothalamus receives a signal that the internal temperature is too high, it will stimulate sweating to cool the body down.
The hypothalamus also plays a role in growth and development, mood, heart health, and childbirth. It receives chemical messages from nerve cells in the brain and peripheral nervous system, and responds to signals from outside the body. It performs its functions by directly influencing the autonomic nervous system or by managing hormones.
Dysfunction of the hypothalamus can lead to a wide range of rare disorders. Kallman syndrome, for instance, causes hypothalamic problems in children, resulting in delayed or absent puberty and an impaired sense of smell. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is another leading cause of hypothalamic dysfunction in young adults.
Executive Orders: Constitutional or Not?
You may want to see also
The pons, which is found in the brainstem
The pons is a part of the brainstem, a structure that links the brain to the spinal cord. It is the middle portion of the brainstem, located just above the medulla oblongata and below the midbrain. The pons is responsible for coordinating various functions, including facial movements, eye movements, facial sensations, hearing, balance, and breathing.
The pons plays a crucial role in relaying messages between different parts of the brain and the spinal cord. It connects the cerebrum to the cerebellum and spinal cord, facilitating communication and control of movement in the face. Additionally, the pons is a key merging point for several cranial nerves, which have direct connections to the brain. These nerves assist with senses in and around the head, as well as the movement of facial features and the mouth.
The trigeminal nerve (Cranial Nerve V), for instance, provides the sense of touch and pain for the face and controls the muscles used for chewing. The abducens nerve (CN VI) controls eye movement, and damage to this nerve can result in double vision. The facial nerve (CN VII) governs most facial expressions and the sense of taste from the front of the tongue.
The pons also influences the sleep-wake cycle and manages pain signals. It sets the body's level of alertness upon waking and relays pain signals from the body to the brain. This structure is an essential component of the nervous system, facilitating the transmission of signals to and from the brain.
The pons has a unique shape, resembling the upper stem of a cauliflower branch. It is beige or off-white in colour and measures approximately 1.06 inches (27 mm) in height, 1.49 inches (38 mm) in width, and 0.98 inches (25 mm) in depth. The pons is susceptible to various injuries and health conditions, including blood clots, brain tumours, encephalitis, and heart attacks. Damage to the pons can result in balance issues, insomnia, nausea, slurred speech, and difficulty swallowing, among other symptoms.
Preamble's Place in Constitution: Essential or Symbolic?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain and spinal cord.
The brain is the body's "headquarters", responsible for responses, sensation, movement, emotions, communication, thought processing, memory, and more.
The spinal cord carries messages back and forth between the brain and the nerves that run throughout the body.
