🩵 NERVOUS LAB

• What is the organization of the nervous system?

  • Central Nervous System (CNS)
  • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
  • Sensory Division
  • Motor Division
  • Somatic Nervous System
  • Autonomic Nervous System
  • Sympathetic
  • Parasympathetic
• What does the Central Nervous System (CNS) consist of?

  The brain and spinal cord
• What is the role of the Central Nervous System?

  It serves as the integrating and control center of the nervous system
• How does the CNS interpret sensory input?

  It dictates motor output based on reflexes, current conditions, and past experience
• What does the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) consist of?

  Nerves that extend from the brain and spinal cord, and ganglia
• What is the function of spinal nerves in the PNS?

  They carry impulses to and from the spinal cord
• What is the function of cranial nerves in the PNS?

  They carry impulses to and from the brain
• What are the three main functions of the nervous system?

  Sensory input, integration, and motor output
• What is the role of sensory input in the nervous system?

  It monitors changes occurring both inside and outside the body
• What does integration in the nervous system involve?

  Processing and interpreting sensory input to decide actions
• What is the purpose of motor output in the nervous system?

  To activate effector organs, such as muscles and glands, to cause a response
• What does the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system promote?

  Maintenance functions and conserves body energy
• What is the "rest and digest" system?

  It refers to the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
• What does the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system do?

  Mobilizes the body during activity
• What is the "fight-or-flight" system?

  It refers to the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
• What are the structural differences between the parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

  • Parasympathetic:
  • Craniosacral origin
  • Long preganglionic and short postganglionic fibers
  • Ganglia located in or near visceral effector organs
  • Sympathetic:
  • Thoracolumbar origin
  • Short preganglionic and long postganglionic fibers
  • Ganglia lie close to the spinal cord
• What are the functional roles of the parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions?

  • Parasympathetic:
  • Maintenance functions; conserves and stores energy; "rest and digest"
  • Sympathetic:
  • Prepares body for activity; "fight or flight"
• What effect does the parasympathetic division have on the eye's pupils?

  It stimulates sphincter pupillae muscles and constricts pupils
• What effect does the sympathetic division have on the eye's pupils?

  It stimulates dilator pupillae muscles and dilates pupils
• What effect does the parasympathetic division have on salivary glands?

  It stimulates secretion of watery saliva
• What effect does the sympathetic division have on salivary glands?

  It stimulates secretion of thick, viscous saliva
• What effect does the parasympathetic division have on the heart?

  It decreases the heart rate
• What effect does the sympathetic division have on the heart?

  It increases the rate and force of heartbeat
• What effect does the parasympathetic division have on the lungs?

  It constricts bronchioles
• What effect does the sympathetic division have on the lungs?

  It dilates bronchioles
• What effect does the parasympathetic division have on the digestive tract organs?

  It increases motility and secretion
• What effect does the sympathetic division have on the digestive tract organs?

  It decreases activity of glands and muscles
• What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?


  A clear, colorless liquid that protects the brain and spinal cord
• What are the functions of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?

  It protects the brain, nourishes it, and carries chemical signals
• How much cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is replaced in adults every 8 hours?

  About 150 ml
• What condition is caused by obstructed CSF circulation?

  Hydrocephalus
• How is hydrocephalus treated?

  By inserting a shunt into the ventricles to drain excess fluid
• How is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) formed?

  • Formed by fluid leaking from porous capillaries
  • Processed by ependymal cells in the ventricles
• What is strictly prohibited without prior written permission of SLU?

  Reproduction, storing, distributing, uploading, or transmitting any part of the document
• What is the structure of each choroid plexus?

  • A knot of porous capillaries
  • Surrounded by a single layer of ependymal cells
  • Ependymal cells are joined by tight junctions and bear long cilia
• How is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) formed in the ventricles?

  Fluid leaking from porous capillaries is processed by ependymal cells to form CSF
• What are the major parts of the brain stem?

  • Midbrain
  • Pons
  • Medulla oblongata
• What percentage of total brain mass does the brain stem account for?

  1. 5%
• What is the primary function of the brain stem centers?

  To produce automatic behaviors necessary for survival
• How does the brain stem relate to the cerebrum and spinal cord?

  It is positioned between them and provides a pathway for fiber tracts