Preface viii

About the Companion Website x

Part I General principles of the nervous system 1

Chapter 1 Introduction to the Nervous System 3

Cells of the Central Nervous System 5

Central Nervous System 5

Peripheral Nervous System 8

Questions to Ponder 9

Chapter 2 Development of the Nervous System 10

Early Development 11

Neurulation 13

Early Development of the Spinal Cord and Brain 18

Development of the Spinal Cord 20

Development of the Brain 22

Synonyms and Eponyms of the Nervous System 29

Questions to Ponder 29

Chapter 3 Histophysiology of the Nervous System 30

Neurons 31

Neuroglia 38

Generation and conduction of Nerve Impulses 42

Synonyms and Eponyms of Nervous System Histopathology 46

Questions to Ponder 46

Chapter 4 Neurotransmitter substances 47

Classifi cation of Neurotransmitter Substances 50

Questions to Ponder 57

Chapter 5 Spinal cord 58

Morphology of the Spinal Cord 59

Internal Morphology of the Spinal Cord 65

Vascular Supply of the Spinal Cord 68

Synonyms and Eponyms of the Spinal Cord 72

Questions to Ponder 72

Chapter 6 Gross Anatomy of the Brain 73

Cerebrum 74

Diencephalon 85

Cerebellum 86

Brainstem 89

Synonyms and Eponyms of the Brain 94

Questions to Ponder 94

Chapter 7 Brainstem 95

Internal Organization of the Brainstem 95

Medulla 99

Pons 105

Midbrain 110

Synonyms and Eponyms of the Brainstem 119

Questions to Ponder 119

Chapter 8 Meninges and Cerebrospinal Fluid 120

Cranial Meninges 121

Spinal Meninges 128

Venous Sinuses of the Cranial Dura Mater 129

Cerebrospinal Fluid 133

Ventricles of the Brain 133

Synonyms and eponyms of the Nervous System 135

Questions to Ponder 135

Chapter 9 Vascular Supply of the Central Nervous System 136

Vascular Supply of the Spinal Cord 137

Arterial Supply of the Brain 138

Venous Drainage of the Brain 151

Synonyms and Eponyms of the Vascular Supply of the Central Nervous System 155

Questions to Ponder 155

Chapter 10 Autonomic Nervous System 156

Sympathetic Nervous System 159

Parasympathetic Nervous System 166

Enteric Nervous System 169

Neurotransmitters and Receptors of the Autonomic Nervous System 170

Pelvic Autonomic Functions 171

Synonyms and Eponyms of the Autonomic Nervous System 174

Questions to Ponder 174

Chapter 11 Spinal Reflexes 175

Components of Reflexes 175

Lower Motoneurons 176

Skeletal Muscle Innervation 177

Skeletal Muscle Receptors 177

Muscle Stretch Reflex 179

Reciprocal Inhibition 179

Autogenic Inhibition (Inverse Myotatic Reflex) 180

Flexor Reflex (Withdrawal Reflex, Nociceptive Reflex) 180

Crossed Extension Reflex 181

Maintenance of Muscle Tone via the Gamma Loop 181

Alpha-Gamma Coactivation 182

Synonyms and Eponyms of the Spinal Reflexes 184

Questions to Ponder 184

Part II Integrative Components of the Nervous System 185

Chapter 12 Ascending sensory Pathways 187

Sensory Receptors 188

Anterolateral System 197

Tactile Sensation and Proprioception 207

Sensory Pathways to