THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Presented by:
Syed khizer hayat shah
The Nervous System
Objectives and Questions:
• 1. I can describe the functions of the nervous system
• 2. I can describe the parts of a neuron cell and identify
how they transmit electrochemical impulses.
• 3. I can compare and contrast the central and
peripheral nervous systems
• 4. I can identify and explain different areas of the brain
and their functions.
• 5. I can explain how the nervous system passes
information between the external environment and the
many parts of the body.
The Nervous system is:
• A physically connected network of cells,
tissues and organs that allow us to
communicate with and react to the
environment and perform life activities.
Cool Nervous System Facts:
• As a fetus in the womb, neurons develop at
the rate of 250,000 per minute.
• We have about 100 billion nerve cells in our
brain by adulthood (over 600 miles worth) –
yet we typically use around 4% at any given
time
• Neurons are our largest cells
• Messages transmit at speeds up of to 180 MPH
FOUR PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF
NERVOUS SYSTEM
1. Sensing the world
Vision, Hearing, Smell, Taste, Touch
2. Transmitting information
3. Processing information
4. Producing a response
The functional unit of the
nervous system is the
nerve cell, the NEURON
They send
electrochemical
messages around the
body
Glial cells provide support
and protection for neurons
Parts of a neuron
Nerve Cell
Parts of nerve cell
Dendrites : recieve chemical signals from
neighboring cells.
Cell Body: contains the nucleus &
organelles
Axon: long extension that carries
electrical messages away from the body to
the terminal axons
Terminal Axons: passes the signal to the
next cell.
Myelin sheath: Protective covering for
axon
Types of Neurons
3 main types of neurons:
Sensory neuron = detect stimuli
Interneurons = relay sensory signals to
brain then return message back to motor
neurons.
Motor neuron = pass message from brain
to rest of body for muscle response
This
coordinated pathway is known as the
REFLEX ARC
Reflex Arc
“ what happens when you step on a nail”?
Reflexes are automatic
The Stimulus (nail ) is received
by the sensory neurons in the
foot
This info travels to the spine,
where the interneuron is triggered
The interneuron transmits signal
to brain (through the spinal
cord)and carries message back
and stimulates the motor neuron,
to move the foot
A progressive wave of electric and
chemical activity along a nerve fiber
that stimulates or inhibits the action of
a muscle, gland, or other nerve cell
*This is how the information moves from sensory
neurons to interneuron to motor neurons
Nervous System
Has two main divisions
1. Central Nervous System
( CNS) brain, spinal cord
2. Peripheral Nervous System
( PNS) all other nerves
2 MAIN DIVISIONS:
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Receives, interprets and
sends signals to PNS
Has 2 main parts:
Brain – main control center
Spinal Cord – connects and
relays nerve impulses to the
brain
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS)
Connects CNS to all organ systems
Made up of:
Sensory Neurons: detect stimuli
Motor Neurons: carry signal to stimulate
response
2 major subsystems:
Somatic – voluntary movement (balance,
movement)
Autonomic – involuntary movement (digestion,
fight or flight)
Parts of the
Nervous System
Central Nervous Peripheral
System Autonomic
Brain Sympathetic
Fight or Flight
Cerebrum
Parasympathetic
Cerebellum
Relaxation
Brain Stem and
Pons Somatic
Lobes (4) Sensory and Motor
Nerves
Spinal Cord
Reflex Arc
“information
superhighway”
•Smaller part of the brain ,towards the
back
FUNCTIONS:
•Coordinates all movement
•Helps maintain posture, muscle control,
and balance
Large front part of the brain
FUNCTIONS:
Voluntary activity
Memory
Language
Receives and responds to sensory signals
Controls motor functions
Top layer of the brain
Stores: experiences and/or learning
Parietal-
Sensory info
concerning touch
Frontal-
behavior &
emotion
Occipital-
vision
Temporal- memory & emotion, speech and hearing
PONS
BRAIN STEM Breathing
swallowing, Heart rate
coughing, sneezing, Internal Organs
and vomiting
Includes the
Medulla Oblongata
• Damage in this area
will usually kill you.
Medulla
“controls: emotions and memories”
Damage to
these areas
can lead to
amnesia or
emotional
disturbances
HEAD INJURY
Objectives
Define and classified head injury.
Explain the causes, symptoms and nursing
intervention of head injury.
Define ABG’s and interpret it’s result.
Discuss respiratory care of post cardiac surgery
patient.
Explain Guidelines for Central Venous Catheter
Care.
Discuss body mechanics and its principals, when
handling and moving patients.
Head injury
A head injury is any trauma to the scalp, skull, or
brain. The injury may be only a minor bump on the
skull or a serious brain injury.
CLASSIFICATION
SCALP INJURY: The scalp has many blood
vessels, so any scalp injury may bleed profusely.
Control bleeding with direct pressure
SKULL INJURY: Skull injury includes fracture to
cranium and the face. If severe enough there can be
injury to the brain.
BRAIN INJURY: Brain injury can be classified as
direct or indirect. Direct injuries to the brain can
occur in open head injuries
ETIOLOGY:
Common causes of head injury include traffic
accidents, falls, physical assault, and accidents at
home, work, outdoors, or while playing sports.
SIGN AND SYMPTOMS:
Dilated pupils
Changes in behaviour, such as irritability or
confusion
Trouble walking or speaking
Drainage of bloody or clear fluids from ears or nose
Vomiting
Seizures
Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
Nursing Interventions
Initial Resuscitation:
A: Airway control including cervical spine
immobilisation with a stiff collar.
B: Breathing
C: Circulation
D: Dysfunction or Disability
E: External Examination
Cont....
Primary neurologic survey (Glascow coma scale +
Pupil + Gross motor).
A GCS score between 3-8 indicate severe brain injury.
A GCS score b/w 9-12 indicate moderate brain injury.
A GCS core b/w 13-15 indicate moderate brain injury.
GCS
Cont….
Search for lesions that require immediate surgical
management.
Identification and management of Cerebral Edema
and Increased intra-Cranial Pressure.
All patient with severe brain injury may required
intubation purely to protect the airway and
ventilation.
Restoring and maintaining adequate blood pressure
is important.
