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NERVOUS SYSTEM LAB PART I
OBJECTIVES:
1. Locate and identify cells and cell structures (listed below) on microscope slides of nervous tissue.
2. Identify the major structures of neurons (listed below) on models.
3. Locate and identify the parts of the brain (listed below) on anatomical models.
4. Locate and identify the parts of the ventricle system (listed below) of the brain on anatomical
models.
5. Identify the meninges and associated spaces of the brain and spinal cord on anatomical models.
6. Locate and identify the parts of the spinal cord (listed below) on anatomical models and diagrams.
7. Locate and identify the parts of the spinal cord (listed below) on microscope slides.
MATERIALS:
 light microscopes
 microscope slides of nervous tissue
 human brain models
 brain ventricles models
 spinal cord models
NERVOUS TISSUE:
1. Identify the cells and cell structures listed below on slides of nervous tissue.
_____ neurons
_____ neuroglia (noo-ROG-lē-a) (also called glia or supporting cells) (These cells assist neurons
with their functions.)
_____ cell bodies (also called somas) (The cell bodies serve as the neuron's control center and is
responsible for receiving, integrating, and sending nerve impulses.)
_____ axons/dendrites of neurons
NEURON STRUCTURES:
1. Identify the major structures of neurons on models (structures listed below).
_____ cell body
_____ nucleus
_____ chromatophilic bodies (also called Nissl bodies) (These are the free ribosomes and
ribosomes bound on the rough endoplasmic reticulum. The ribosomes are involved in
making proteins the neurons need.)
_____ dendrites (DEN-drīt) (These are processes that branch off the cell body. They receive
information and then conduct nerve impulses toward the cell body.)
_____ axon (also called a nerve fiber)(AK-son) (This is a large process that branches off of the
cell body. It transmits nerve impulses away from the cell body toward another cell.)
_____ telodendria (also called axon terminals) (Most axons branch extensively. The ends of the
axons are called axon terminals.)
_____ synaptic knobs (This is the very end, slightly expanded end of an axon.)
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_____ Schwann cells (also called neurolemmocytes) (These cells form the myelin sheath around
PNS axons.)
_____ myelin sheath (This is the insulating covering around the axon.)
_____ neurilemma (This is the thin outer membrane of the Schwann cell.)
_____ nodes of Ranvier (These are the gaps in the myelin sheath.)
_____ axon hillock (HIL-lok) (This is a triangular region where the axon connects to the cell
body. It does not have chromatophilic substances.)
_____ synapses (These are the areas one neuron communicates with another neuron in a neural
pathway.)
_____ endoneurium (This is a delicate layer of areolar tissue with capillaries around each axon.)
PARTS OF THE BRAIN:
The adult brain has six major regions: 1) the cerebrum, 2) the diencephalon, 3) the midbrain, 4) the
pons, 5) the medulla oblongata, and 6) the cerebellum.
1. Locate and identify the major parts of the brain (listed below) on anatomical models.
_____ cerebrum (seh-REE-brum) (This is the large rounded portion of the brain. It includes the
cerebral cortex, the nuclei, and the white matter. Functions: conscious thought,
intellectual functions, memory, and area where complex involuntary motor patterns
originate.)
_____ diencephalon (DIE-ehn-SEF-ah-lahn) (This part of the brain includes the pineal gland, the
hypothalamus, and the thalamus.)
_____ midbrain (also called the mesencephalon) (This is the part of the brain between the pons
and the diencephalon. Functions: Processes visual and auditory information and generates
involuntary somatic motor responses.)
_____ pons (pohns) (This is the part of the brain anterior to the cerebellum and superior to the
medulla. Functions: connects the cerebellum to the brain stem and is involved with
somatic and visceral motor control. It also helps control breathing movements.)
_____ medulla oblongata (meh-DOOL-la ob-long-GAH-ta) (This is the most inferior part of the
brainstem. It is continuous with the superior part of the spinal cord. Functions: Relays
sensory information from the spinal cord and brain stem to the cerebral cortex. It
regulates autonomic functions such as heart rate and respiratory rate. It also controls
vomiting, hiccupping, swallowing, coughing, and sneezing.)
_____ cerebellum (ser-eh-BELL-um) (This part of the brain lies posterior to the medulla
oblongata and pons. It is shaped like a butterfly and has 2 lobes that are connected
medially. Functions: Smoothes and coordinates complex, skilled movements. It helps
maintain equilibrium. It regulates posture and balance.)
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2. Each of the major parts of the brain has several other structures within it. Locate and identify these
structures (listed below) on anatomical models.
CEREBRUM:
_____ right/left cerebral hemispheres (Sensory areas are involved in the perception of
sensory information. Motor areas control muscular movement. Association areas
deal with memory, personality traits, and intelligence. One area functions in
emotional aspects of behavior related to survival.)
_____ longitudinal fissure (This is a deep mid-saggital groove that separates the two cerebral
hemispheres)
_____ transverse fissure
_____ lateral sulcus
_____ central sulcus
_____ parieto-occipital sulcus
_____ precentral gyrus (This is the fold of cortex just anterior to the central sulcus)
_____ postcentral gyrus (This is the fold of cortex just posterior to the central sulcus)
_____ frontal lobe
_____ pariental lobe
_____ temporal lobe
_____ occipital lobe
_____ insula (This is a small lobe deep to the lateral sulcus. You can only see it by laterally
reflecting the temporal lobe.)
_____ cortex
_____ cerebral nuclei (also called basal nuclei) (These are paired, irregular masses of gray
matter buried deep within the central white matter in the basal region of the cerebral
hemispheres, inferior t the floor of the lateral ventricle. You can only see these in a
coronal section of the brain.)
_____ corpus callosum (core-PUS kal-LOH-sum) (This is a bundle of axons linking centers
in the left and right cerebral hemispheres.)
_____ septum pellucidum
_____ fornix (FOR-niks) (This is a thin tract of white matter that connects the hippocampus
(an area of the brain involved with learning and memory) to other diencephalon
limbic system structures.)
_____ internal capsule (This is a group of axons in a tract passing to and from the cortex
between the cerbral nuclei.)
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DIENCEPHALON:
_____ pineal gland (also called pineal body) (PIH nē-ahl OR PĪ-neahl) (This is a coneshaped gland located in the posterior portion of the roof of the diencephalon.
Functions: secretes melatonin, promotes sleep, helps set the body’s biological clock
and may be involved in mood and timing the onset of puberty.)
_____ thalamus (THAL-ah-mus) (This is a large oval structure located on either side of the
third ventricle. Functions: main relay center for almost all sensory input to the
cerebral cortex.)
_____ interthalamic adhesion (also called massa intermedia)
_____ hypothalamus (high-poh-THAL-ah mus) (This is the floor of the diencephalon.
Functions: It controls and integrates activities of the autonomic nervous system and
pituitary gland. It regulates emotional and behavioral patterns and circadian rhythms.
It controls body temperature and regulates eating and drinking behavior. It helps
maintain the waking state and establishes patterns of sleep. It produces hormones.)
_____ infundibulum (in-fun-DIB-ū-lum) (This is a thin stalk that extends from the
hypothalamus to attach to the pituitary gland)
_____ pituitary gland (pih-TOO-ih-tare-ē) (This is an endocrine organ that sits in the sella
turcica of the sphenoid bone. It is connected to the hypothalamus.)
_____ mammillary bodies (These are paired masses in the hypothalamus that processes
sensations related to smelling. It also controls swallowing.)
MIDBRAIN (Also called the mesencephalon):
_____ corpora quadrigemina (These are 4 “bumps.” It is made up of the 2 superior colliculi
and 2 inferior colliculi. The superior colliculi are reflex centers for certain visual
activities. The inferior colliculi relay impulses from the receptors for hearing in the
ear to the thalamus.)
_____ superior colliculi (ko-LIK-yū-lī) (These help visually track moving objects and control
reflexes such as turning the eyes and head in response to a visual stimulus.)
_____ inferior colliculi (These control reflexive turning of the head and eyes in the direction
of a sound.)
_____ cerebral peduncles (PĒ-dung-kl) (These are motor tracts located on the anterolateral
surfaces of the mesencephalon. Descending axon bundles of the pyramidal system
project through the cerebral peduncles and carry voluntary motor commands.)
_____ pons
_____ middle cerebellar peduncles (These are transverse fibers that connect the pons to the
cerebellum.)
_____ medulla oblongata
_____ pyramids
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CEREBELLUM:
_____ right/left cerebellar hemispheres
_____ vermis (This is a narrow band of cortex along the midline of the cerebellum.)
_____ cortex (This is the outer surface of the cerebellum. It occurs in folds called folia.)
_____ arbor vitae (AR-bōr VĪ-tē) (This is the white matter of the cerebellum. It is called this
because its distribution pattern resembles the branches of a tree.)
VENTRICLES SYSTEM OF THE BRAIN:
1. Locate and identify the parts of the ventricle system (listed below) of the brain on anatomical models.
_____ lateral ventricles (VEN-trih-kuhls) (These are found in the cerebral hemispheres. They are Cshaped.)
_____ interventricular foramen (This is an opening between the lateral ventricles.)
_____ third ventricle (This ventricle is located between the cerebral hemispheres in the diencepalon,
around the thalamus.)
_____ mesencephalic aqueduct (also called cerebral aqueduct) (This a slender canal that connects
the third ventricle with the fourth ventricle.)
_____ fourth ventricle (This ventricle is located between the pons and cerebellum.)
_____ median aperature (This is an opening in the roof of the fourth ventricle that allows the CSF to
flow into the subarachnoid space.)
_____ lateral aperatures (These are paired openings in the roof of the fourth ventricle that allow the
CSF to flow into the subarachnoid space.)
_____ choroid plexuses (KO-royd PLEK-sus) (This is a layer of ependymal cells and the capillaries
that lie within the pia mater. This is where cerebrospinal fluid is made.)
MENINGES OF THE BRAIN:
1. Identify the meninges of the brain.
_____ periosteal layer of dura mater (This is the tough, fibrous, outermost covering.)
_____ meningeal layer of dura mater (This is the tough, fibrous, outermost covering.)
_____ arachnoid (This is the middle layer.)
_____ pia mater (This is the innermost layer).
_____ tentorium cerebelli (ten-TŌ-rē-um ser-e-bel-ī) (This is a horizontally oriented fold of dura
mater that separates the occipital and temporal lobes of the cerebrum from the cerebellum.)
_____ falx cerebri (falks sē-RĒ-bri) (This is a large, sickle-shaped vertical fold of dura mater,
located in the midsagittal plane. It projects into the longitudinal fissure between the left
and right cerebral hemispheres.)
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PARTS OF THE SPINAL CORD:
1. Locate and identify the major parts of the spinal cord (listed below) on anatomical models and
diagrams.
_____ anterior gray horns (These contain somatic motor nuclei, which provide nerve impulses
for contraction of skeletal muscles.)
_____ lateral gray horns (These contain autonomic motor nuclei that regulate the activity of
smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.)
_____ posterior gray horns (These contain somatic and autonomic sensory nuclei.)
_____ anterior white funiculi (These contain bundles of axons.)
_____ lateral white funiculi (These contain bundles of axons.)
_____ posterior white funiculi (These contain bundles of axons.)
_____ central canal
_____ gray commissure
_____ white commissure
_____ anterior median fissure
_____ posterior median sulcus
_____ dura mater
_____ arachnoid
_____ pia mater
_____ subarachnoid space
_____ epidural space (This is a space “above” the dura mater. It is filled with adipose tissue and
blood vessels.)
2. Locate and identify the parts of a spinal cord (listed below) on the microscope slides.
_____ anterior gray horn
_____ lateral gray horn
_____ posterior gray horn
_____ anterior white column
_____ lateral white column
_____ posterior white column
_____ central canal
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