ANATOMY

AND
PHYSIOLOGY
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Composed of:
• Brain
• Spinal Cord
• Associated Nerves that control voluntary acts
Brain
• Cerebrum
Two Hemispheres:
o Left – controls the right side of the body. It is the center for logical reasoning and
analytic functions such as reading, writing and mathematical tasks.
o Right – controls the left side of the body. It is the center for creative thinking,
intuition and artistic abilities.
 Corpus Collosum – the pathway connecting the two hemispheres and coordinating
their functions.
Cerebral Hemispheres are divided into four lobes:
o Frontal – control the organization of memories, emotions, thoughts, body movement
and moral behavior. Integration of this information regulates arousal, focuses
attention and enables problem-solving and decision-making.
o Parietal – interpret sensations of taste and touch and assist in spatial orientation.
o Temporal – centers for the senses of smell and hearing and for memory and
emotional expression.
o Occipital – assist in coordinating language generation and visual interpretation.
• Cerebellum – located below the cerebrum. It is the center for coordination of movements
and postural adjustments. It receives and integrates information from all areas of the body
such as the muscles, joints, organs and other components of the CNS.
• Brain Stem
o Midbrain – connects the pons and cerebellum with the cerebrum. It includes most of:
 Reticular Activating System – influences motor activity, sleep, consciousness
and awareness.
 Extrapyramidal system – relays information about movement and coordination
from the brain to spinal nerves.
o Pons – serving as a primary motor pathway.
o Medulla Oblongata – located at the top of spinal cord. It contains vital centers for
respiration and cardiovascular functions.
• Limbic System – located above the brain stem. It includes:
o Thalamus – regulates activity, sensation and emotion.
o Hypothalamus – temperature regulation, appetite control, endocrine function, sexual
drive and impulsive behavior associated with feelings of anger, rage or excitement.
o Hippocampus and amygdala – involved in emotional arousal and memory.
NEUROTRANSMISSION