Difference between revisions of "Nervous and Special Senses - Anatomy & Physiology"

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<big><center>[[Anatomy & Physiology|'''BACK TO ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY''']]</center></big>
[[Image:mainpagecnsbrain.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Saggital section of equine brain - © RVC]]
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[[Image:WIKIVETNervousMainPage.jpg|thumb|centre|800px]]
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==Nervous System==
 
==Nervous System==
The physiology of the nervous system can be explored at the level of a nerve cell, or [[Neurons - Anatomy & Physiology|'neuron']]. Communication between these cells uses electrical or chemical signals known as [[Neurotransmitters - Anatomy & Physiology|neurotransmitters]]; the cellular response generated in response to this signalling is known as an action potential.
 
  
===Central Nervous System (CNS)===
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The nervous system is accountable for many features of higher organisms. The nervous system mediates reflex activity, controls autonomic and endocrine function, and the brain allows for higher thought processes including emotion and learning. It has a wide distribution and influences all other systems.  
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The central nervous system is comprised of the '''brain and spinal cord'''. The brain is contained within the skull, and the spinal cord is contained within the spinal vertebral canal. The brain is covered and protected by the meninges. The meninges are comprised of three layers: the dura mater (the outermost layer), the arachnoid mater (the middle layer), and the pia mater (the innermost layer). [[Cerebral Spinal Fluid - Anatomy & Physiology|Cerebral Spinal Fluid]] (CSF) is the fluid surrounding the brain as well as the central canal of the spinal cord which helps cushion the CNS, acts as a chemical buffer, provides immunological protection and transports waste products and nutrients. Nerves arising from the brain and brain stem are the [[#Innervation - cranial nerves| cranial nerves]] whilst those arising from the spinal cord are the [[PNS Structure - Anatomy & Physiology|peripheral nerves]].
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It can be divided into:
  
*[[CNS Development - Anatomy & Physiology|Development]]
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::[[Nervous System - CNS - Anatomy & Physiology|Central Nervous System (CNS)]]
*[[Forebrain - Anatomy & Physiology|Forebrain]]
 
*[[Midbrain - Anatomy & Physiology|Midbrain]]
 
*[[Hindbrain - Anatomy & Physiology|Hindbrain]]
 
*[[Spinal Cord - Anatomy & Physiology|Spinal Cord]]
 
*[[Meninges - Anatomy & Physiology|Meninges]]
 
*[[CNS Vasculature - Anatomy & Physiology|Vasculature]]
 
*[[Central Nervous System - Histology|Histology]]
 
  
===Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)===
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::[[Nervous System - PNS - Anatomy & Physiology|Peripheral Nervous system (PNS)]]
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The Peripheral Nervous System includes both [[#Innervation - cranial nerves| cranial nerves]] and [[#Innervation - spinal nerves| spinal nerves]], and is commonly divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. The somatic nervous system co-ordinates body movements and also receives external stimuli. It basically regulates activities that are under conscious control.
 
The autonomic nervous system contains the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system as well as an enteric division. The sympathetic nervous system is the ‘fight or flight’ system which is triggered when an animal is under threat; it's main neurotransmitter is adrenaline. The parasympathetic nervous system is the ‘rest and digest’ system which is responsible for digestion; the primary neurotransmitter is acetylcholine. Further information on the structure, physiology and pathology of the PNS is available from the following links:
 
  
*[[PNS Structure - Anatomy & Physiology|Structure]]
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Pathways provide a route for sensory information at the periphery to enter the CNS, and for motor signals to be sent to the periphery:
*[[Reflex Arcs - Anatomy & Physiology|Reflex Arc]]
 
*[[PNS Structure - Anatomy & Physiology#Blood Supply|Vasculature]]
 
*[[Peripheral Nervous System - Histology|Histology]]
 
  
===Information Pathways===
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::[[Nervous System - Sensory Pathways - Anatomy & Physiology|Sensory Pathways]]
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::[[Nervous System - Motor Pathways - Anatomy & Physiology|Motor Pathways]]
In physiological terms, when processing information the CNS and PNS are integrated into pathways; examples would include [[Motor Pathways - Anatomy & Physiology|motor pathways]] and [[Sensory Pathways - Anatomy & Physiology|sensory pathways]]. Motor pathways carry signals from the cerebellum to the skeletal muscles using upper and lower motor neurons connected via the [[Motor_Pathways_- Anatomy & Physiology#Pyramidal_System_.28Corticospinal.29|pyramidal system]] or the [[Motor_Pathways_- Anatomy & Physiology#Extrapyramidal_System|extrapyramidal system]]. Sensory pathways carry sensory information detected by peripheral nerves in an ascending path  through the spinal cord to the higher levels of the brain. Types of general somatic sensation include pain, touch, temperature and kinaesthesia (conscious proprioception).
 
  
 
==Special Senses==
 
==Special Senses==
In anatomy, there are four major senses which have specialised organs assocated with them. They are the [[Eye - Anatomy & Physiology|eye]], the [[Ear - Anatomy & Physiology|ear]], the [[Nose - Anatomy & Physiology|nose]] and the [[Gustatory System - Anatomy & Physiology|tongue]]. These organs process visual, auditory, olfactory and taste sensations respectively.
 
  
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::[[Special Senses - Visual - Anatomy & Physiology|Visual]]
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::[[Special Senses - Auditory - Anatomy & Physiology|Auditory]]
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::[[Special Senses - Olfactory - Anatomy & Physiology|Olfactory]]
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::[[Special Senses - Taste - Anatomy & Physiology|Taste]]
  
{{Learning|videos = [[Video: Transverse Section of Cerebral Hemispheres|Transverse Section of Cerebral Hemispheres potcast]]<br>[[Video: Canine orbit and sagittal section of the canine head|Canine orbit and sagittal section of the canine head potcast]]<br>[[Video: Lateral surface of the head of the dog potcast 4|Lateral surface of the head of the dog potcast 4]]<br>[[Video: Ventral surface of the brain potcast|Ventral surface of the brain potcast]]
 
|flashcards = Sensory Pathways Flashcards - Anatomy & Physiology|Sensory Pathways Flashcards
 
|Vetstream = [https://www.vetstream.com/canis/browse/Neurology Neurology]
 
}}
 
  
==References==
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==References for Nervous and Special Senses==
  
 
'''BOOKS'''
 
'''BOOKS'''
 
*''Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy'' by Dyce, Sack and Wensing. 3rd Edition
 
*''Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy'' by Dyce, Sack and Wensing. 3rd Edition
 
*''Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic Mammals'' by König and Liebich. 3rd Edition
 
*''Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic Mammals'' by König and Liebich. 3rd Edition
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'''IMAGES'''
 
'''IMAGES'''
 
*''Royal Veterinary College'' Histology Department
 
*''Royal Veterinary College'' Histology Department
 
{{OpenPages}}
 
[[Category:Nervous System - Anatomy & Physiology]][[Category:Special Senses - Anatomy & Physiology]]
 

Revision as of 09:45, 31 July 2008

BACK TO ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
WIKIVETNervousMainPage.jpg

Nervous System

The nervous system is accountable for many features of higher organisms. The nervous system mediates reflex activity, controls autonomic and endocrine function, and the brain allows for higher thought processes including emotion and learning. It has a wide distribution and influences all other systems.

It can be divided into:

Central Nervous System (CNS)
Peripheral Nervous system (PNS)

Pathways provide a route for sensory information at the periphery to enter the CNS, and for motor signals to be sent to the periphery:

Sensory Pathways
Motor Pathways

Special Senses

Visual
Auditory
Olfactory
Taste


References for Nervous and Special Senses

BOOKS

  • Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy by Dyce, Sack and Wensing. 3rd Edition
  • Veterinary Anatomy of Domestic Mammals by König and Liebich. 3rd Edition

IMAGES

  • Royal Veterinary College Histology Department