2/24/25, 1:29 PM
LUSL 4084 Neuro
Readings - Saunders
Comprehensive Review
for the Nclex-Rn
Examination
about:blank 1/20
,2/24/25, 1:29 PM
Week 4: NEUROLOGICAL SYSTEM
Anatomy and Physiology of the Brain and Spinal Cord
The Brain:
• Frontal ◻ Broca’s – speech production, Morals, emotions, reasoning, judgment, concentration
• Parietal ◻ Taste, touch, pain, temp, pressure
• Temporal ◻ Hearing, Wernicke’s –speech comprehension
• Occipital ◻ Visual
• Limbic system ◻ Emotions, Learning, memory
Cerebrum
◻ Consists of the right and left hemispheres
◻ Each hemisphere receives sensory information from the opposite side of the body and controls
the skeletal muscles of the opposite side.
◻ The cerebrum governs sensory and motor activity, thought and learning
Cerebral cortex
◻ Outer gray later, divided into 5 lobes
◻ Responsible for the conscious activities of the cerebrum
Basal Ganglia
◻ Cell bodies in white matter that help the cerebral cortex to produce smooth voluntary movements
Diencephalon
◻ Thalamus
o Replays sensory impulses to the cortex
o Provides a pain gate
o Part of the reticular activating system
◻ Hypothalamus
o Regulates
◻ autonomic responses of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
◻ stress response, sleep, appetite, body temp, fluid balance, and emotions
o Responsible for the production of hormones secreted by the pituitary gland and the
hypothalamus
Brainstem
◻ Mid brain
o Responsible for motor coordination
o Contains the visual reflex and auditory replay centers
◻ Pons
o Contains the respiratory centers and regulates breathing
◻ Medulla oblongata
o Contains all afferent and efferent tracts and cardiac, respiratory, vomiting, and vasomotor
centers
o Controls HR, Resps, blood vessel diameter (BP), sneezing, swallowing, vomiting and
coughing
Cerebellum
◻ Coordinates muscle movement, posture, equilibrium, and muscle tone
about:blank 1/20
, 2/24/25, 1:29 PM
LUSL 4084 NEURO 2
Spinal Cord
◻ Provides neuron and synapse networks to produce involuntary responses to sensory stimulation
◻ Controls body movement
◻ Regulates visceral function
◻ Carries sensory information to and motor information from the brain
◻ Extends from the 1st cervical to the 2 nd lumbar vertebra
◻ Protected by: menings, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and adipose tissue
◻ Horns
o Inner column of gray matter; contains 2 anterior and 2 posterior horns
◻ Posterior horns: connect with afferent (sensory) nerve fibers
◻ Anterior horns: Contain efferent (motor) nerve fibers
◻ Nerve tracts
o White matter contains the nerve tracts
o Ascending tracts (sensory pathway)
o Descending tracts (motor pathway)
Meninges
◻ The dura mater is a tough and fibrous membrane
◻ The arachnoid membrane is a delicate membrane and contains CSF
◻ The Pia mater is a vascular membrane
◻ The Subarachnoid space is formed by the arachnoid membrane and the pia matter
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
◻ Secreted: in the ventricles
◻ Cerculates: in the subarachnoid space and through the ventricles to the subarachnoid space of the
meninges where it is reabsorbed
◻ Purpose: A protective cushion and aids in the exchange of nutrients and wastes
◻ Normal Pressure: 50-175 mm H2O
◻ Normal Volume: 125 to 150 mL
Ventricles
◻ 4
◻ The ventricles communicate between the subarachnoid spaces and produce and circulate CSF
Blood Supply
◻ Right and Left internal carotid arteries
◻ Right and left vertebral arteries
◻ These arteries supply the brain via an anastomosis at the base of the brain called the Circle of
willis
Neurotransmitters
1. Acetylcholine
2. Norepinephrine
3. Dopamine
4. Serotonin
5. Amino Acids
6. Polypeptides
Spinal Nerves
◻ 31 pairs of spinal nerves
◻ Mixed nerve fibers are formed by the joining of the anterior motor and posterior sensory roots
◻ Posterior roots: contain afferent (sensory) nerve fibers
◻ Anterior roots: contain efferent (motor) nerve fibers
Autonomic nervous system
about:blank 2/20
LUSL 4084 Neuro
Readings - Saunders
Comprehensive Review
for the Nclex-Rn
Examination
about:blank 1/20
,2/24/25, 1:29 PM
Week 4: NEUROLOGICAL SYSTEM
Anatomy and Physiology of the Brain and Spinal Cord
The Brain:
• Frontal ◻ Broca’s – speech production, Morals, emotions, reasoning, judgment, concentration
• Parietal ◻ Taste, touch, pain, temp, pressure
• Temporal ◻ Hearing, Wernicke’s –speech comprehension
• Occipital ◻ Visual
• Limbic system ◻ Emotions, Learning, memory
Cerebrum
◻ Consists of the right and left hemispheres
◻ Each hemisphere receives sensory information from the opposite side of the body and controls
the skeletal muscles of the opposite side.
◻ The cerebrum governs sensory and motor activity, thought and learning
Cerebral cortex
◻ Outer gray later, divided into 5 lobes
◻ Responsible for the conscious activities of the cerebrum
Basal Ganglia
◻ Cell bodies in white matter that help the cerebral cortex to produce smooth voluntary movements
Diencephalon
◻ Thalamus
o Replays sensory impulses to the cortex
o Provides a pain gate
o Part of the reticular activating system
◻ Hypothalamus
o Regulates
◻ autonomic responses of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
◻ stress response, sleep, appetite, body temp, fluid balance, and emotions
o Responsible for the production of hormones secreted by the pituitary gland and the
hypothalamus
Brainstem
◻ Mid brain
o Responsible for motor coordination
o Contains the visual reflex and auditory replay centers
◻ Pons
o Contains the respiratory centers and regulates breathing
◻ Medulla oblongata
o Contains all afferent and efferent tracts and cardiac, respiratory, vomiting, and vasomotor
centers
o Controls HR, Resps, blood vessel diameter (BP), sneezing, swallowing, vomiting and
coughing
Cerebellum
◻ Coordinates muscle movement, posture, equilibrium, and muscle tone
about:blank 1/20
, 2/24/25, 1:29 PM
LUSL 4084 NEURO 2
Spinal Cord
◻ Provides neuron and synapse networks to produce involuntary responses to sensory stimulation
◻ Controls body movement
◻ Regulates visceral function
◻ Carries sensory information to and motor information from the brain
◻ Extends from the 1st cervical to the 2 nd lumbar vertebra
◻ Protected by: menings, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and adipose tissue
◻ Horns
o Inner column of gray matter; contains 2 anterior and 2 posterior horns
◻ Posterior horns: connect with afferent (sensory) nerve fibers
◻ Anterior horns: Contain efferent (motor) nerve fibers
◻ Nerve tracts
o White matter contains the nerve tracts
o Ascending tracts (sensory pathway)
o Descending tracts (motor pathway)
Meninges
◻ The dura mater is a tough and fibrous membrane
◻ The arachnoid membrane is a delicate membrane and contains CSF
◻ The Pia mater is a vascular membrane
◻ The Subarachnoid space is formed by the arachnoid membrane and the pia matter
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
◻ Secreted: in the ventricles
◻ Cerculates: in the subarachnoid space and through the ventricles to the subarachnoid space of the
meninges where it is reabsorbed
◻ Purpose: A protective cushion and aids in the exchange of nutrients and wastes
◻ Normal Pressure: 50-175 mm H2O
◻ Normal Volume: 125 to 150 mL
Ventricles
◻ 4
◻ The ventricles communicate between the subarachnoid spaces and produce and circulate CSF
Blood Supply
◻ Right and Left internal carotid arteries
◻ Right and left vertebral arteries
◻ These arteries supply the brain via an anastomosis at the base of the brain called the Circle of
willis
Neurotransmitters
1. Acetylcholine
2. Norepinephrine
3. Dopamine
4. Serotonin
5. Amino Acids
6. Polypeptides
Spinal Nerves
◻ 31 pairs of spinal nerves
◻ Mixed nerve fibers are formed by the joining of the anterior motor and posterior sensory roots
◻ Posterior roots: contain afferent (sensory) nerve fibers
◻ Anterior roots: contain efferent (motor) nerve fibers
Autonomic nervous system
about:blank 2/20
