The Nervous System

By the end of the course, the student 

Should be able to; 

List the Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system components.

Tell the description and localization of the gray matter and white matter.

Define the functional and structural classification of the neurons in addition to their cell body localizations

Explain the gray and white matter organization within the Spinal cord.
 

Explain the 31 pair of spinal nerves in according to their segmental organization.
 

Define the meninxes around the Spinal cord in addition to their layers,termination levels and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) relationships.
 

Tell the Lumbal puncture levels and the surface landmarks to estimate the optimal level for to obtain CSF.

Explain the pathways of the ascending and descending tracts in addition to their crosses and synapses.

Explain the localizations of the exits of the the Cranial nerves in according to the Midbrain,Pons

and Medulla oblongata levels.

Explain the neighbourhoods of the brainstem structures and the ventricules.

Neocerebellum,Paleocerebellum and Archiocerebellumu with their functions and localizations.
 

Define the vasculature of the cerebellum.
 

Explain the ascending and descending tracts of the Cerebellum.
 

List the Cerebellar nuclei with their function and localizations.
 

Explain the reflex arches within the Cerebellum. 
 

Define the function and structural classification of the Basal ganglions.
 

Explain the localization and neighbourhoods of the Internal capsule, claustrum, thalamus, globus pallidus and striatum

Explain the Lacrimal gland localization and innervation.
 

Define the layers of the eye bulb in addition to its functional anatomy, innervation and vasculature.
 

Explain visual pathways.
 

List the refractory layers of the eye bulb for the light.

Explain the innervation and functional anatomy of the middle ear muscles.

Define the inner ear fluid compartments with their connections.

List the auditory pathways from external ear to the cortex in addition to what and where are pathways of the auditory system.

Define the pathways from and to theThalamus in according to their anatomical connections and types of modulator,driver ve inhibitor.

Explain the Cortico-­‐thalamic circuits.

Define the Hypothalamic nuclei and the Hypophysial portal system.

List the anatomical components of the Limbic system.

Define the Commissural fibers.

Tell the Association fibers.

Explain the Projection fibers.

List the major functional brodmann fields.

Explain the connections of the language, sensorial and motor functions and pathways within the brain in according to the current knowledge and literature.

Explain the pathways of the olfactorial and optic nerves.

Define the cranial nerves’(3-­‐12) pathways from brainstem nuclei to their targets in addition to their branches.

Explain the reflex pathways within the 12 cranial nerves.

Explain the Falx cerebri, Tentorium cerebelli, Falx cerebelli and Diaphragma sellae in addition to their originated meninges and localizations.

Define the innervation and the vasculature of the Piamater, arachnoidmater and Duramater.

Explain the Dural venous sinuses with their connections.

Explain the segmental sympathetic innervation of the internal organs.

List the reflex arches within the Autonomic nervous system.

List the Circumventricular organs.

Explain the underlying anatomy of the brain cooling 

Explain the vasculature of the Internal capsule, Hypothalamus, corpus callosum, thalamus and the basal ganglions.

Explain the Cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) circulation with its anatomical pathways.

Define the CSF synthesis and drainage localizations and responsible anatomical structures.

Explain the interconnections in between the systematic and CSF circulation.

Define the central and peripheral nervous system

Explain sensory and motor nervous functions

Define the structure and function of neurons

Define the locations and functions of the different types of glial cells

Explain myelinization, nerve fiber types and signal transmission

Explain the mechanism of exocytosis

Define depolarization, repolarization, and hyperpolarization.

Explain the actions of voltage regulated Na+ and K+ channels and describe the events that occur during the production of an action potential.

Classify the different types of cutaneous receptors

Define the neural pathways for the cutaneous senses

Define the sensory cortex and its functions

Explain the role of neuromediators in pain sensation

Define endogenous analgesia system and mechanisms

Explain headache types and their causes

Explain how taste cells are stimulated by foods that salty, sour, sweet and bitter.

Define the structure and function of olfactory receptors

Define taste and olfactory transmission pathways and structure of their cortical area

Explain how images are brought to focus on the retina.

Define the defects associated with myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

Explain the function of rhodopsin in the rods and iodopsin in the cones.

Define visual transmission pathways and functions of visual cortex.

Define the structure and functions of cochlea.

Explain how mechanical energy is converted into nerve impulses by the organ of Corti.

Define auditory pathways and the structure and function of auditory cortex.

Tell how ascending and descending tracts are named.

Define the structures and pathways involved in a reflex arc.

Define motor functions in spinal and decerebrated models

Define anterior motor neuron, interneurons and renshaw inhibitory circuit

Explain skeletal muscle sensory receptors and their functions

Define reflex types and their neuronal circuit

Define corticospinal pathway, medullary pyramids and cortico-­‐rubro-­‐spinal pathway

Explain motor functions of the brain stem

Define the structure of vestibuler apparatus

Explain the functions of utriculus, sacculus and semicircular canals.

Define vestibular nuclei in the brain stem and their functions in equilibrium.

Define input and output neural circuits to and from the cerebellum

Define circuits of the basal ganglia (putamen and caudate nucleus circuits)

Explain the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases)

Define dominant hemisphere and hemispheric lateralization

Define intellectual functions and concept of working memory

Define the brain areas involved in learning and memory

Explain memory types and mechanisms

Define the functions of amygdalae and hippocampus.

Define pleasure and punishment centers in the limbic system

Discuss the role of limbic system in emotion.

Explain the structure and general functions of the sympathetic division of the autonomic system.

Explain the structure and general functions of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic system.

List the neurotransmitters of the preganglionic and postganglionic neurons of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Define the structures and functions of bloodbrain barrier.

Tell the cerebrospinal fluid circulation in ventricule system

Perform and interpret the electroencephalography (basic EEG with three electrodes)

State the key differences between gray matter and white matter and describe their respective histological compositions.

Recognize ependymal cells of the choroid plexus, noting that these are the cells responsible for the production of CSF.

Identify the different layers and types of neurons in the cerebrum and cerebellum and correlate this structure to their functions.

List the microscopic structure of meninges, CSF and blood-­‐brain barrier.

Describe the process of cell division within the neuroepithelium (ventricular zone), and the formation of the intermediate (mantle) zone, marginal zone, and ependymal layer.

Distinguish between alar and basal plates. What types of neurons form from the neuroblasts which develop within these two regions?

List the major adult derivatives of each of the five secondary brain vesicles.

Describe the location and orientation of the three brain flexures.

 Identify histological specification of brain and cerebellum.