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Brain
Spinal cord
Brain: a large mass of neurons, glia
and other supporting cells
Structure is soft and jelly like
Considerable weight of human brain
(app 1400 g)
CNS Protection
Hair, skin, cranium/ tough
bony skull
Meninges
Pool of Cerebrospinal
fluid
Chemically guarded by
Blood brain barrier
Spinal cord by vertebral
column
Neuroglia (supporting cells)
Meninges
NS (brain and spinal cord), cranial and
spinal nerves and peripheral ganglia is
covered by the tough, protective
connective sheath of tissues
(meninges)
Consists of three layers
1. Dura matter (hard mother): thick,
tough, flexible but un stretchable outer
layer.
2. Arachnoid membrane: middle layer,
web like appearance, soft and spongy,
lies beneath the dura matter
3. Pia mater (pious mother): closely
attached to brain and spinal cord
(smaller surface blood vessels of brain
and spinal cord are contained within) as
well as following every surface
convolution.
Meningeal Layers
Meningeal layer of the brain cushion
and protect delicate neural tissue
Figure 9-4b
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Between pia mater and arachnoid membrane
is a gap called subarachnoid space. This
space is filled with a liquid called
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Shock absorbing medium, reduced shock due
to sudden head movement
Provides a optimum and stable environment
for generating nerve impulses
Provides a medium for the exchange of
nutrients and wastes between blood and
nervous tissue
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Human brain floats in the bath of CSF
contained within the subarachnoid space. It
reduced its net weight to app 80g
Formed by selective transport across
ependymal cells
Total Volume of CSF is 125-150 ml and is
replaced > 3 times/day, flow maintained by
10 mmHg pressure gradient
Continuous process of production,
circulation and reabsorption
Path: ventricles subarachnoid space,
reabsorbed into blood in Dural sinuses
through arachnoid villi
Ventricular system of Brain
Brain contain series of hollow,
interconnected chambers (ventricles)
filled with CSF.
Largest chamber (lateral ventricle)------
connected to 3rd ventricle (located at
the midline of the brain and its walls
divide the surrounding part of the brain
into symmetrical halves
A bridge of neural tissues (massa
intermedia) crosses through the middle
of the 3rd ventricle and serve as
convenient reference point
The cerebral acqueduct (a long tube)
connects the 3rd ventricle with the 4th
ventricle.
CSF extracted from blood and in
composition resembles that of blood
plasma
CSF produced by special tissues with
rich blood supply (Choroid plexus)
produced into all four ventricles.
Blood Brain Barrier
Extensive capillaries & sinuses
Tight junctions promoted by astrocytes
Limits permeability for most molecules except O2, CO2, alcohol,
steroids, H2O
Protects brain: hormones & circulating chemicals
Protects CNS from chemical fluctuations
Prevents entry of harmful substances
Prevents entry of molecules that could act as neurotransmitters
Brain receives 15% - 20% of direct blood pumped by heart
Brain responsible for about half of bodys glucose consumption
Membrane transporters move glucose from plasma into the brain
interstitial fluid
BBB
Brain Organization
Trillion interneurons fill the brain
Up to 200,000 synapses each
Levels of complexity
Cerebral cortex
Basal nuclei
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Cerebellum
Brain stem
Brain component
Cerebral cortex
Cerebral cortex
Basal nuclei
(lateral to thalamus)
Basal nuclei
Thalamus
(medial) Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
Cerebellum
Cerebellum
Midbrain
Brain stem
Brain stem Pons (midbrain, pons,
and medulla)
Medulla Spinal cord
Major Functions
Brain component
1. Sensory perception
Cerebral cortex 2. Voluntary control of movement
3. Language
4. Personality traits
5. Sophisticated mental events, such as thinking memory,
decision making, creativity, and self-consciousness
Telencephalon Diencephalon
2.Limbic System
& Hypothalamus
3. Basal Ganglia
Cerebrum
Telencephalon ----- 2 symmetrical halves ( cerebral
hemispheres) make up cerebrum
Cerebral hemispheres are covered with cerebral cortex
and contains limibic system and basal ganglia
Highly developed
Makes up about 80% of total brain weight (largest
portion of brain)
Inner core houses basal nuclei
Outer surface is highly convoluted cerebral cortex
Highest, most complex integrating area of the brain
Plays key role in most sophisticated neural functions
Cerebral Cortex
Structure: greatly convoluted
Convolutions consisted of sulci (small
grooves), fissures (large grooves) and gyri
(bulges between adjcent sulci and fissures)
Three specializations
Sensory areas - sensory input translated
into perception
Motor areas - direct skeletal muscle
movement
Association areas - integrate information
from sensory and motor areas, can direct
voluntary behaviors
Cerebral Cortex
Each half of cortex divided into four major lobes
Occipital lobe - carries out initial processing of visual input
Figure 9-15
Function of Lobes
Brain Function: Cerebral Lateralization
Each lobe has special functions
Figure 9-16
a. Telencephalon
Cerebral Cortex
Schematic Linking of
Various Regions of the
Cortex
Basal Nuclei
Act by modifying ongoing
activity in motor pathways
Primary functions
Regulates muscle tone
throughout the body
Selecting and maintaining
purposeful motor activity while
suppressing useless or
unwanted patterns of
movement
Helping monitor and
coordinate slow, sustained
contractions, especially those
related to posture and support
Controls large automatic
movement
Basal Ganglia:
Mesencephalon
Tectum
Tegmentum
a. Tectum
Superior colliculi: part of visual system
Inferior colliculi: part of auditory
system
Appear like four bumps on the dorsal
surface of the brain
b. Tegmentum
Portion beneath the tectum
Areas
Reticular formation: 90 nuclei, sleep and arousal,
attention, muscle tonus, movement and vital reflexes
(manage internal body organs e.g. heart beat, blood
pressure, swallowing, stomach activity
Periaqueductal gray matter: control sequence of
movements, fighting and mating behaviors
Red nucleus and substantia nigra: components of
motor system. Parkinsons disease
3. Hindbrain
Metencephalon Mylencephalon
Medulla
cerebellum
oblongata
pons
Cerebellum
Basic functions: coordination, balance, motor learning, etc.
Vestibulocerebellum balance and control of eye movement
Spinocerebellum enhances muscle tone and coordinates skilled
voluntary movement important in synchronization and timing
Receives input concerning desired action from motor cortex
Receives feedback concerning actual action from proprioceptors, vestibular
apparatus, eyes
Compares inputs and sends adjustments or corrective signals to motor tracts
Cerebrocerebellum planning and initiation of voluntary activity by
providing input to the cortical motor areas also involved in procedural
memories
Brain Stem: Pons & Medulla
An important link between spinal cord and higher brain levels, relays motor and
sensory impulses between other higher parts of the brain and spinal cord
Midbrain eye movement control
Pons (sleep and arousal)
Medulla (regulation of cardio-vescular system, respiration and skeletal muscle
tonus)
Cranial Nerves