Central Nervous System CNS develops from the embryonic neural tube The neural tube becomes the

e brain and spinal cord The opening of the neural tube becomes the ventricles Four chambers within the brain Filled with cerebrospinal fluid Regions of Brain: Cerebral hemispheres (Cerebrum) Specialized Area of Cerebrum Somatic sensory area receives impulses from the bodys sensory receptors Primary motor area sends impulses to skeletal muscles Brocas area involved in our ability to speak Lobes of the Cerebrum Surface lobes of the cerebrum Frontal lobe Parietal lobe Occipital lobe Temporal lobe Diencephalon Sits on top of the brain stem Enclosed by the cerebral hemispheres Made of three parts Thalamus Hypothalamus Epithalamus Brain stem Attaches to the spinal cord Parts of the brain stem Midbrain Pons Medulla oblongata Cerebellum Two hemispheres with convoluted surfaces Provides involuntary coordination of body movements Protection of the Central Nervous System Scalp and skin Skull and vertebral column Meninges Cerebrospinal fluid Blood brain barrier

Meninges: Dura mater- Double-layered external covering and folds inward in several areas Periosteum attached to surface of the skull Meningeal layer outer covering of the brain Arachnoid layer-Middle layer Pia mater-Internal layer and Clings to the surface of the brain Cerebrospinal Fluid AP diameter is 7mm through C7 C7 to conus medullaris is 6mm At conus it is 7mm Cord size is considered abnormal if it is over 8mm or under 6mm Similar to blood plasma composition Formed by the choroid plexus Forms a watery cushion to protect the brain Circulated in arachnoid space, ventricles, and central canal of the spinal cord
around the brain and spinal cord.

CSF is a clear, watery fluid that fills the ventricles of the brain and the subarachnoid space CSF is produced primarily by the choroid plexus of the ventricles (up to 70% of the volume), most
of it being formed by the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricles. CSF flows from the lateral ventricles, through the interventricular foramens, and into the third ventricle, cerebral aqueduct, and the fourth ventricle. The choroid plexuses located in the ventricles produce CSF, which fills the ventricles and subarachnoid space, following a cycle of constant production and reabsorption. CSF plays an important role in

Supporting the brain growth during evolution Protecting against external trauma Removal of metabolites produced by neuronal and glial cell activity Transport of biologically active substances (like hormones and neuropeptides) throughout the brain

The ventricular system is embryologically derived from the neural canal, forming early in the development of the neural tube. The 3 brain vesicles (prosencephalon or forebrain, mesencephalon or midbrain, and rhombencephalon or hindbrain) form around the end of the first gestational month. The neural canal dilates within the prosencephalon, leading to the formation of the lateral ventricles and third ventricle. The cavity of the mesencephalon forms the cerebral aqueduct. The dilation of the neural canal within the rhombencephalon forms the fourth ventricle

Ventricles of the Brain

The ventricles of the brain are a communicating network of cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and located within the brain parenchyma. The ventricular system is composed of the following:

2 lateral ventricles
The largest cavities of the ventricular system are the lateral ventricles. Each lateral ventricle is divided into a central portion, formed by the body and atrium (or trigone), and 3 lateral extensions or horns of the ventricles.

third ventricle The third ventricle is the narrow vertical cavity of the diencephalon. cerebral aqueduct fourth ventricle

The fourth ventricle is connected to the third ventricle by a narrow cerebral aqueduct. The
fourth ventricle is a diamond-shaped cavity located posterior to the pons and upper medulla oblongata and anterior-inferior to the cerebellum.

Blood Brain Barrier

Includes the least permeable capillaries of the body Excludes many potentially harmful substances Useless against some substances Fats and fat soluble molecules Respiratory gases Alcohol Nicotine Anesthesia Spinal Cord Extends from the medulla oblongata to the region of T12 Below T12 is the cauda equina (a collection of spinal nerves) Enlargements occur in the cervical and lumbar regions Spinal Cord Anatomy Internal gray matter - mostly cell bodies

Dorsal (posterior) horns Anterior (ventral) horns

Exterior white mater conduction tracts Central canal filled with cerebrospinal fluid

Each vertebra has several important parts: the body, vertebral foramen, spinous process, and transverse process. The body is the main weight-bearing region of a vertebra, making up the bulk of the bones mass. Extending from the body, the transverse processes are thin columns of bone that point out to the left and right sides of the body. The spinous process extends from the ends of the transverse processes in the posterior direction. Between the body, transverse processes and spinous process is the vertebral foramen, a hollow space that contains the spinal cord and meninges. Between the vertebrae of the spine are thin regions of cartilage known as the intervertebral discs. Intervertebral discs are made of an outer shell known as the annulus fibrosus and a soft, pulpy region known as the nucleus pulposus in the middle. Annulus fibrosus outer structure that encases the nucleus pulposus composed of type I collagen that is obliquely oriented, water, and proteoglycans characterized by high tensile strength its ability to prevent intervertebral distraction remains flexible enough to allow for motion

Nucleus pulposus located towards the centre of the disc. In young people, this material is a gel made mostly of water, giving it the consistency of toothpaste. As a ball of fluid, it deforms with weight-bearing but cannot be compressed. Apply pressure and the nucleus changes shape without any reduction in its total volume. Pressure exerted on the disc is transmitted radially, much like a compressed water balloon stretches out its walls in all directions. Vertebral endplates. These cartilaginous caps of connective tissue cover most of the top and bottom surfaces of the vertebral bodies. Although tightly bound to the disc by the collagen fibers of the annulus, the endplates are only loosely bound to the vertebral bodies.