Evaluate the functions of the Central Nervous System
HEART
Trust/NTA-Vocational Training Development Institute, Jamaica
Associate
Degree in Information and Communication Technology
Information
and Communication Technology
Fundamentals
of Psychology
Evaluate
the functions of the Central Nervous System
By:
Sandra
Spaulding ID#1300092423
Instructor:
Dr
Sandra Hamilton
June
29, 2018
The Central Nervous System
The central
nervous system (CNS) is the processing centre for the nervous
system. It
is made up of the brain and the nervous system. It receives information from and sends information to
the peripheral nervous system.
© 2014 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved
The brain plays a central role in the control of most bodily functions,
including awareness, movements, sensations, thoughts, speech, and memory. Therefore,
the brain processes and interprets sensory information sent from the spinal
cord. Both the brain and spinal cord are protected by a three-layered covering
of connective tissue called
the meninges.
The Central Structures of the Brain
·
The thalamus integrates and
relays sensory information to the cortex of the parietal, temporal, and
occipital lobes. The thalamus is in the lower central part of the brain and is
located medially to the basal ganglia. The brain hemispheres lie on the
thalamus.
- The hypothalamus, located below the thalamus, regulates automatic functions such as appetite, thirst, and body temperature. It also secretes hormones that stimulate or suppress the release of hormones (for example, growth hormones) in the pituitary gland.
- The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain. The pituitary gland produces hormones that control many functions of other endocrine glands. It regulates the production of many hormones that have a role in growth, metabolism, sexual response, fluid and mineral balance, and the stress response.
The Base of the Brain
The base of the brain contains the cerebellum and
the brainstem.
·
The cerebellum controls equilibrium
and coordination and contributes to the generation of muscle tone. It also
plays more diverse roles such as participating in some types of memory and
exerting a complex influence on musical and mathematical skills.
·
The brainstem connects the brain
with the spinal cord. It includes the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla
oblongata. The midbrain is located below the hypothalamus. The pons serves as a
bridge between the midbrain and the medulla oblongata and the medulla oblongata
which is the lowest part of the brainstem is interconnected with the cervical
spinal cord.
The Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is an extension of the
brain and is surrounded by the vertebral bodies that form the spinal column.
The central structures of the spinal cord are made up of grey matter (nerve
cell bodies), and the external or surrounding tissues are made up of white
matter. Nerve roots exit the spinal cord to both sides of the body, and the
spinal cord also carries signals (messages) back and forth between the brain and
the peripheral nerves.
Within the spinal cord are 30 segments that belong to 4 sections (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral), based on their location:
- Eight cervical segments: These transmit signals from or to areas of the head, neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.
- Twelve thoracic segments: These transmit signals from or to part of the arms and the anterior and posterior chest and abdominal areas.
- Five lumbar segments: These transmit signals from or to the legs and feet and some pelvic organs.
- Five sacral segments: These transmit signals from or to the lower back and buttocks, pelvic organs and genital areas, and some areas in the legs and feet.
- A coccygeal remnant is located at the bottom of the spinal cord.
References
What
Is the CNS (Central Nervous System)? retrieved from https://www.emedicinehealth.com/anatomy_of_the_central_nervous_system/article_em.htm#what_are_the_different_parts_of_the_cns_diagram
Functions
of the Central Nervous System retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/central-nervous-system-373578
Thanks Sandra
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