Central nervous system: anatomy, role, diseases

2024-03-21 20:50:07

Definition: what is the central nervous system?

The central nervous system (SNC) corresponds to the part of the nervous system including the brain (including thebrainthe cerebellum and the brainstem) and the spinal cord.

This system is our central control. It receives the information perceived by the senses and develops a motor response which will be sent to the peripheral nervous system.

Role: what is the central nervous system used for?

Within the central nervous system (CNS) :

The encephalon (which includes the brain) is the central command of the body. He controls most body functionswhose perceptionTHE movementsTHE sensationsTHE thoughtsthe parole and the memory.Spinal cord do circulate nerve signalsallowing them to come and go between the brain and the nerves of the rest of the body (within the peripheral nervous system).

What is the difference between the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system?

The central nervous system and peripheral nervous system are complementary. The peripheral nervous system corresponds to all the structures that allow the transmission of information between the central nervous system and sensory nerve and muscle cells.

The peripheral nervous system consists of:

of the nerves of organsand muscles ,of the nerves that connect the spinal cord to the entire body (we are talking about spinal nerves) , of all nerve cells present in the body.

Anatomy of the central nervous system

The central nervous system consists of the brain and of spinal cord.

The encephalon (brain, cerebellum, brainstem)

all the brain is protected by the meninges and the cerebrospinal fluid (LCR), in which the brain “baths”.

The brain is made up of nerve cells (or neurones) as well as glial cells. These protect and power the neurons that make the nervous system work by transmitting an electrical message.

The nerve signal travels on the axon of neurons. it passes from one cell to another via the synapse.

The brain understands three structures whose functions and location differ:

The brain which is the largest part of the brain. It is divided into two hemispheres (left and right). The brain is made up of gray matter (which contains neurons) and white matter (which contains the axons of neurons). The brain is the seat of intellectual faculties. It processes information from the organs and sends a nerve impulse causing movements. The cerebellum which is located at the back of the skull below the brain. Like the brain, it is separated into two hemispheres (left and right) and composed of white and gray matter. Its main function is to ensure balance and coordination of movements. The brainstem located under the brain. It ensures the transmission of messages between the brain and the spinal cord. It also controls vital vegetative functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, etc. Finally, it allows reflexes such as coughing, sneezing, vomiting, etc.

Spinal cord

The spinal cord is a type of long nerve cord that extends from the base of the brainstem to end at the lower back. The spinal cord lies at the heart of the spinal column protected by the vertebral canal. 31 pairs of spinal nerves (also called spinal nerves) leave the spinal cord to transmit/receive nervous messages. The spinal cord therefore ensures the transition of nerve impulses from the brain to the peripheral nervous system (and in the opposite direction).

What are the diseases of the central nervous system?

Around 1 million people are affected by central nervous system dysfunction due to illness or trauma. Among these disorders we find in particular:

THE CNS infections as encephalitis or the poliomyelitis ; THE neurovegetative diseases as the Alzheimer’s disease or the Parkinson diseasethe essential tremor ; L’epilepsy ; And stroke (AVC), THE brain hemorrhages, a lack of oxygen to the brain due to cardiac or respiratory arrest; THE inflammatory diseases as the multiple sclerosisl’acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.. ; THE neurological and psychiatric disorders as the ADHDl’autismthe schizophreniathe depression, anxiety… ; THE genetic disorders as the Krabbe diseasethe Huntington’s diseasethe syndrome de Rettthe Trisomy 21… ; THE central nervous system cancers as the glioblastome (serious brain cancer) for example; THE craniocerebral trauma (TBI) or one spinal cord injuries ;THE neurotoxic brain damage (for example linked to carbon monoxide or a drug interaction, etc.).

How to treat central nervous system dysfunction?

It is not uncommon for central nervous system dysfunction to be irreversible. Neurological disorders most often require follow-up with a neurologist.

In addition, certain medications can help regulate the central nervous system, exerting an action that can help cure or relieve certain medical conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, psychotic disorders, ADHD or even and depression.

What medications act on the central nervous system?

Some medications act on the CNS. This is particularly the case:

Painkillers and painkillers (paracetamol, opiate derivatives, etc.); General anesthetics; Anorectics (“appetite suppressant” action); Anticonvulsants or antiepileptics ; THEantidepressants ; Antiemetics (to control vomiting); THE antipsychotics or neuroleptics; Medications for Parkinson’s disease: (acetylcholine antagonists and the dopaminergic agents) ; Medications for alcoholism; THE stimulants to treat ADHD (as the ritalin) ; Medication hypnotics and the tranquilizers (barbiturates and benzodiazepines); THE cholinesterase inhibitors ( pour treat dementia in people with Alzheimer’s disease).
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