Peripheral Nervous System & Corpus Callosum

What is the Peripheral Nervous System?

• Peripheral Nervous System
• The Peripheral Nervous System contains all nerves outside of the the brain and spinal cord.
• Functions of the PNS
• This system connects the central nervous system to organs, limbs, and the skin.
• This allow the brain and spinal cord to receive and send information to other areas of the body, which is why we react to certain situations in our environment.
• Compsed of:
• Cranial Nerves
• Nerves that arise from the brain stem
• Spinal Nerves
• Nerves that extend from the spin
• Peripheral Nerves
• Nerves that run elsewhere in the body

Continued...

• The Peripheral Nervous system is divided into two major parts
• Somatic Nervous System
• Sensory Neurons- carry messages to the CNS
• Responsible for movement of voluntary muscles
• Carries nerve impulses back and forth between the brain and spinal cord, and the skeletal muscles, skinm and sensory organs
• Autonomic Nervous System (Fight-Flight response
• Motor Neurons- carry signals from the CNS to the internal organs, musclesm, and glands
• The control system that acts unconsciously and regulates bodily functions such as the heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, etc.

Where is it?

• Orange- CNS
• Yellow- PNS
• All Nerves runnning throughout the body outside the spinal cord and the brain

Complications

• Nerve injury can affect the brains ability to communicate with muscles and organs.
• Damage to the Peripheral nerves is called Peripheral Neuropathy
• Symptoms:
• General weakness that causes an overall lack of strength and coordination, which could lead to problems walking or holding objects
• Numbness, tingling, burings in the hands or feet
• Constipation, etc

FUN FACTS

• The Spinal cord is just 19 inches long, but it holds over 10 million neurons
• Your body can send messages to your brain at the speed of 200 miles per hour
• There are more than 100 billion nerves cells that run throughout the body

Make Connections

Peripheral Nervous System

Corpus Callosum

What is the Corpus Callosum

• The brain is separated into two hemispheres and each half controls different functions
• The Corpus Callosum is the part of the brain that is the bridge between the two hemispheres.
• Allows for communication between the right side of the brain and the left side of the brain.
• Fully develops by the age of 12

Where is it?

• In the center of the brain
• Above the Thalamus
• Shaped like a letter "C"
• 10 cm long
• Left-side of the brain controls the right side of the body and analytical tasks such as reading, math and science
• Right-side of the brain controls the left side of the body and task involved in art and creativity

When it Does Not Work

MRI. CT scan, Prenatal ultrasound used to confirm disorder

Develop agenesis disorder

Developmental Problems

Corpus Callosum is split; Fluid in skull, deep clefts, autistic

blind, deaf, or never learn to walk or talk, low muscle tone, problems understanding concepts

Split-brain

Lead to Medical Problems

Seizures

Each half of brain functions independently

Fun Facts

• Roger Wolcott Perry who studied split brain was the first scientist to realize that each half of the brain carries out certain functions

• Made up of 200 million nerve fibers

• There are more nerve cells in the brain than stars in the Milky Way