How does IV, nitrous, or local anesthesia work on nervous system? - ✔✔By inhibition of ions (such as
sodium) across neuron membranes or alteration of the action of the neurotransmitters in the synapse,
causing diminished nerve conduction which equals diminished sensation of pain or perception of pain.
What does CNS consists of? - ✔✔Cerebrum (the big bulk of brain)--higher/intelligent functions: thinking,
learning, memory, emotions, speaking, etc
Cerebellum--more basic stuff such as movement, vision, coordination
Brainstem--most basic/primitive but most important for being alive: breathing, blood pressure, HR, etc.
What is peripheral nervous system (PNS) and what does it consist of? - ✔✔Nerves and branches of
nerves that connect the rest of the body to the brain
1) Spinal nerves
2) Cranial nerves
Which cranial nerve do we care about in administering the local anesthetic in the mouth? -
✔✔Trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve #5)
How does the trigeminal nerve divide to innervate the teeth and face/mouth structures? - ✔✔Opthalmic
division: eyes and forehead
Maxillary: maxilla (upper teeth)
Mandibular: mandible (lower teeth)
(These further branch out to specific areas of the teeth.)
What is the autonomic nervous system (ANS)? - ✔✔It is a special branch of the nervous system that is
located within nerves and nerve structures but serve a special purpose of involuntary activities within
our bodies to keep us alive and well. (These autonomic functions regulate the HR, digestion, sleep-wake
cycles, body temperature, etc)
Division of autonomic nervous system: - ✔✔parasympathetic (calm/resting state) and sympathetic (panic
state/flight or fight state)