NSG 200 NEUROLOGICAL SYSTEM REVISED STUDY GUIDE
LATEST 2026
At the end of this module the learner will:
• Identify the structures and function of the neurologic system
Cerebral Cortex: Cerebrum’s outer layer of nerve cells. Functions: governing thought, memory, reasoning,
sensation and voluntary movement.
• Each ½ of the cerebrum is a hemisphere. This divides further into FOUR lobes:
o Frontal: Personality, behavior, emotions, intellectual function
▪ Broca’s area: motor speech
o Parietal: Sensation
o Temporal: auditory reception center, taste, smell
▪ Wernicke’s area: language comprehension
o Occipital: Visual receptor center
Basal Ganglia: Gray matter in two cerebral hemispheres that form subcortical associated motor system
(extrapyramidal system)
Thalamus: MAIN relay station. Sensory pathways of spinal cord, cerebellum, and brainstem form
synapses
Hypothalamus: respiratory center with basic function control/coordination
Cerebellum: motor coordination/muscle tone of voluntary movements
Brainstem: contains midbrain, pons, medulla
Spinal Cord: pathway for ascending/descending fiber tracts that connect brain spinal nerves
Sensory Pathways
Anterolateral Tract: Sensory fibers that transmit sensations of pain, temperature, and crude or light touch
Posterior (dorsal) Columns: fibers that conduct sensations of position (proprioception), vibration, and
localized touch (streognosis).
Motor Pathways
Corticospinal/Pyramidal Tract: voluntary movement. Very skilled, discrete, purposeful movements.
• Motor nerve fibers travel to brainstem crossing to opposite, contralateral side (pyramidal
decussation) and then pass down in lateral column of spinal cord.
Extrapyramidal tracts: Motor nerve fibers originating in motor cortex, basal ganglia, brainstem, and spinal
cord outside of pyramidal tract.
• Subcortical motor fibers maintain muscle tone and control body movements, especially
gross automatic movements such as walking.
, Cerebellar System: Coordinates movement, maintains equilibrium, posture. Integrates information using
feedback pathway to exert control.
Upper Motor Neurons: descending motor fibers that can influence or modify lower motor neurons. Convey
Impulses from motor areas of cerebral cortex lower motor neurons
Lower Motor Neurons: Provide final contact w/ muscle. Anterior gray column of spinal cord. Nerve fibers
extend to muscle. Cranial nerves and spinal nerves of PNS.
Reflexes
Stretch on/Deep Tendon (myotatic): “knee jerk” intact sensory (affrent) nerve, functional synapse in the
cord, intact motor (efferent) nerve, neuromuscular junction and competent muscle
Superficial (cutaneous): plantar reflex
Visceral (organ): pupillary response to light/accommodation
Cranial Nerves
CN I and II extend from the cerebrum and the rest extend from the midbrain and brainstem.
I- Olfactory
II- Optic
III- Oculomotor
IV- Trochlear
V- Trigeminal
VI- Abducens
VII- Facial
VIII- Auditory
IX- Glossopharyngeal
X- Vagus
XI- Accessory
XII- Hypoglossal
Spinal Nerves
31 Pairs: 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 1 coccygeal
“Mixed Nerves” contain both sensory and motor fibers. Each innervates a segment of the body
Dermal segmentation: cutaneous distribution of various spinal nerves
Identify teaching opportunities for health promotion and risk reduction
Collect subjective data relating to various alterations in the neurologic system
Headaches: Ask about:
Onset, frequency, severity
Location, quality description, and associated factors
LATEST 2026
At the end of this module the learner will:
• Identify the structures and function of the neurologic system
Cerebral Cortex: Cerebrum’s outer layer of nerve cells. Functions: governing thought, memory, reasoning,
sensation and voluntary movement.
• Each ½ of the cerebrum is a hemisphere. This divides further into FOUR lobes:
o Frontal: Personality, behavior, emotions, intellectual function
▪ Broca’s area: motor speech
o Parietal: Sensation
o Temporal: auditory reception center, taste, smell
▪ Wernicke’s area: language comprehension
o Occipital: Visual receptor center
Basal Ganglia: Gray matter in two cerebral hemispheres that form subcortical associated motor system
(extrapyramidal system)
Thalamus: MAIN relay station. Sensory pathways of spinal cord, cerebellum, and brainstem form
synapses
Hypothalamus: respiratory center with basic function control/coordination
Cerebellum: motor coordination/muscle tone of voluntary movements
Brainstem: contains midbrain, pons, medulla
Spinal Cord: pathway for ascending/descending fiber tracts that connect brain spinal nerves
Sensory Pathways
Anterolateral Tract: Sensory fibers that transmit sensations of pain, temperature, and crude or light touch
Posterior (dorsal) Columns: fibers that conduct sensations of position (proprioception), vibration, and
localized touch (streognosis).
Motor Pathways
Corticospinal/Pyramidal Tract: voluntary movement. Very skilled, discrete, purposeful movements.
• Motor nerve fibers travel to brainstem crossing to opposite, contralateral side (pyramidal
decussation) and then pass down in lateral column of spinal cord.
Extrapyramidal tracts: Motor nerve fibers originating in motor cortex, basal ganglia, brainstem, and spinal
cord outside of pyramidal tract.
• Subcortical motor fibers maintain muscle tone and control body movements, especially
gross automatic movements such as walking.
, Cerebellar System: Coordinates movement, maintains equilibrium, posture. Integrates information using
feedback pathway to exert control.
Upper Motor Neurons: descending motor fibers that can influence or modify lower motor neurons. Convey
Impulses from motor areas of cerebral cortex lower motor neurons
Lower Motor Neurons: Provide final contact w/ muscle. Anterior gray column of spinal cord. Nerve fibers
extend to muscle. Cranial nerves and spinal nerves of PNS.
Reflexes
Stretch on/Deep Tendon (myotatic): “knee jerk” intact sensory (affrent) nerve, functional synapse in the
cord, intact motor (efferent) nerve, neuromuscular junction and competent muscle
Superficial (cutaneous): plantar reflex
Visceral (organ): pupillary response to light/accommodation
Cranial Nerves
CN I and II extend from the cerebrum and the rest extend from the midbrain and brainstem.
I- Olfactory
II- Optic
III- Oculomotor
IV- Trochlear
V- Trigeminal
VI- Abducens
VII- Facial
VIII- Auditory
IX- Glossopharyngeal
X- Vagus
XI- Accessory
XII- Hypoglossal
Spinal Nerves
31 Pairs: 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 1 coccygeal
“Mixed Nerves” contain both sensory and motor fibers. Each innervates a segment of the body
Dermal segmentation: cutaneous distribution of various spinal nerves
Identify teaching opportunities for health promotion and risk reduction
Collect subjective data relating to various alterations in the neurologic system
Headaches: Ask about:
Onset, frequency, severity
Location, quality description, and associated factors
