Life Support Lecture #5: The Anatomy and Function of the Nervous System

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Lecture #5: The Nervous System – Anatomical Aspects
Life Support
Outline
• Nervous system: central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)
• The neuron as a building block
• Spinal and cranial nerves
• Basic operation of CNS: motor and sensory system

What is the main function of the brain?
➔ The brain is the command center for the nervous system
➔ Acts as a translator between outside world and body
o Allows us to respond and react to the
environment
o One of the main functions of the brain is
to regulate movement of the muscles

Sensory input → CNS (processing) → motor output

• The brain receives sensory input (e.g. feel,
touch, see, hear) from the body’s sensory organs,
processes and translates the information, and
outputs an appropriate motor response to the
muscles to be able to react to the environment

Example → a ball is being thrown toward a tennis
player
➔ The brain receives sensory information about the movement of the ball
➔ Sends signals to the hand to make sure it is in the right position in space to hit the ball
back

Learning Goals
1) Difference between CNS and PNS
2) Understand role of structure and communication within the brain
3) Explain and localize main somatosensory and motor routes