PSYC 271 Lecture 3: Anatomy of the Nervous System
31 Dec 2017
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Central nervous system (cns): consists of the brain & spinal cord. Peripheral nervous system (pns): located outside of the skull and spine; carries information to the cns and carries signals out of the cns. Afferent nerves: sensory nerves (input) -> bring towards. Efferent nerves: motor nerves (output) -> bring away. Meninges: three protective layers that cover the cns: dura mater: means tough mother; outer membrane, arachnoid membrane: spider-web like; middle layer. Subarachnoid space: space b/w arachnoid membrane & pia mater: pia pater: thin layer that adheres the cns surface. Cerebrospinal fluid (csf): serves as a cushion for the cns. Produced by the choroid plexuses this protrudes into the ventricles from the pia mater. Excess csf is absorbed into the subarachnoid space, large blood-filled spaces, or dural sinuses. Dural sinuses: run through the dura mater and drain into the large jugular veins of the neck. Central canal: central channel that runs the length of the spinal cord.
