Nervous and Special Senses - Anatomy & Physiology
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Nervous System
Central Nervous System (CNS)
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). Nerves arising from the brain and brain stem are the cranial nerves whilst those arising from the spinal cord are the perhipheral nerves.
- Development
- Forebrain
- Midbrain
- Hindbrain
- Cranial Nerves
- Spinal Cord
- Meninges
- Cerebral Spinal Fluid
- Vasculature
- Histology
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The Peripheral Nervous System includes both cranial nerves and 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 comes into role 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. It’s main neurotransmitter is acetylcholine
Information Pathways
Special Senses
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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