Introduction to Neuroanatomy

Original Editor - Joanne Garvey and Naomi O'Reilly

Top Contributors - Joanne Garvey, Lucinda hampton, Naomi O'Reilly, Laura Ritchie, Stacy Schiurring, Jess Bell, Kim Jackson, Rachael Lowe, Kate Sampson, Admin, Tarina van der Stockt, WikiSysop, Simisola Ajeyalemi, Adam Vallely Farrell, Rucha Gadgil, Rewan Elsayed Elkanafany, Mande Jooste, Scott Buxton and George Prudden  

Overview

The nervous system consists of extensive neural networks. Communication between these networks facilitates thinking, language, feeling, learning, memory, motor function and sensation. Through the plasticity of our existing cells and neural stem cells, our nervous system can adapt to new situations and respond to injury.

Neuroplasticity or brain plasticity is defined as the ability of the nervous system to change its activity in response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by reorganising its structure, functions, or connections.

The nervous system has three specific functions:

1. Sensory input: sensory receptors, present in the skin and organs, respond to external and internal stimuli by generating nerve impulses that are sent to the central nervous system (CNS).
2. Integration: the brain and spinal cord of the CNS combine and sum up all the data received from the body and send out nerve impulses.
3. Motor output: the nerve impulses from the CNS go to the effectors (muscles and glands). Muscle contractions and gland secretions are responses to stimuli received by sensory receptors.

Building Blocks of the Nervous System

Neurons and Glial Cells

Neurons are cells of the nervous system and are responsible for all neurological functions of the brain.

The basic components of a neuron include:

• cell body: contains the nucleus, mitochondria, and other organelles necessary for neuronal functioning. These structures support the chemical processes of the neuron, most notably the production of neurotransmitters.
• axons: originate from the cell body at the axon hillock. Axons relay efferent information to neighbouring neurons.
• dendrites: radiate out from the cell body and receive afferent signals from other neurons. They react to neurotransmitters released by neighbouring neurons and relay information via electrical signals through the cell body. A neuron may have a single dendrite or many dendrites depending on its function and location in the nervous system.
• synapse: microscopic gaps found between neurons, typically between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another. They are the site of chemical communication between neurons. The neuron sharing information on one side of the synapse is called the pre-synaptic neuron, while the neuron on the receiving side of the synapse is called the post-synaptic neuron.

If you would like to learn more about neuronal function and structure, please see this article.

The CNS is made up of grey matter and white matter:

• grey matter: has a pinkish-grey colour. It houses neural cell bodies, axon terminals, dendrites, and nerve synapses. Grey matter is abundant in the cerebellum, cerebrum, and brainstem. It is also located in the spinal cord.
• white matter: consists of bundles of axons, which connect different parts of the brain. Axons may be myelinated or unmyelinated.

In this context, afferent describes information moving inward or into the neuron and efferent describes information moving outward or away from the neuron.

Neurons can be classified structurally and functionally.

Structurally:

• bipolar neurons: have one axon and one dendrite extending from the cell body
• multipolar neurons: have one axon and multiple dendrites extending from the cell body
• anaxonic neurons: have no identifiable axon that can be distinguished from the dendrites
• pseudounipolar neurons: a single axon that splits into two branches

Functionally:

• sensory neurons: respond to sensory inputs from the environment
• motor neurons: send signals to muscles to control movement
• interneurons: enable communication between sensory and motor neurons

Glial Cells

Glial cells (also known as neuroglia) are the most abundant cell in the CNS. However, they are present in both the CNS and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). They are support cells to neurons and provide essential nervous system function and homeostasis.

There are four main classes of glial cells within the CNS:

• astrocytes: important in maintaining cellular homeostasis. They perform tasks such as clearing excess neurotransmitters, maintaining the blood-brain barrier, and promoting synapse formation
• oligodendrocytes: myelin-forming cells found in the CNS
• ependymal cells: are found lining the ventricle and other fluid-filled spaces of the CNS. They are involved in the secretion of cerebrospinal fluid
• microglial cells: function as the macrophages of the CNS

In the PNS:

• schwann Cell: myelin-forming cells found in the PNS

Nervous System Organisation

The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The CNS consists of two parts: the brain and the spinal cord:

• the brain is the central organ of the nervous system and the location of information processing and coordination. It is divided into four main parts:
  • brainstem: includes the medulla, pons, and midbrain
  • cerebellum
  • diencephalon: consists of the thalamus, subthalamus, hypothalamus, and epithalamus
  • cerebral hemispheres: includes the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, hippocampi and amygdalae
    • the right and left hemispheres are connected by the corpus callosum which facilitates communication between both sides of the brain
    • the hemispheres are further divided into four lobes
• the spinal cord is the caudal extension of the brain. It functions to relay information between the brain and the PNS.

Central Nervous System Coverings: the Bones and Meninges

The CNS is enclosed within the skull and vertebral column. These structures are separated by a series of membranes known as the meninges. The pia mater is separated from the delicate arachnoid membrane by the subarachnoid space, which is, in turn, separated from the dura mater by the sub-dural space.

• The outermost layer is the dura mater. It is composed of two fused layers. The outer layer, which is directly attached to the skull, is the periosteal layer. The inner layer is the meningeal layer. Only the meningeal layer continues down to surround the spinal cord. As the spinal dura mater is not directly attached to the vertebrae, there is an epidural space in the spine. In the cranial dura mater, there are a few places where the meningeal layer separates from the periosteal layer and folds down into the cranial cavity to create dural reflections. The falx cerebri runs in the longitudinal fissure to separate the left and right hemispheres of the cerebrum. The other main dural reflection is the tentorium cerebelli, which separates the occipital and temporal lobes of the cerebrum from the cerebellum and brainstem.
• The middle layer of the meninges is the arachnoid mater, a spider web-like layer closely attached to the meningeal layer of the dura mater. Arachnoid granulations which protrude into the dura mater allow drainage of cerebrospinal fluid into the systemic venous system.
• The innermost layer is the pia mater. It lies right along the surface of the brain, following the ridges and grooves like tightly adhered plastic wrap. It also forms sheaths around blood vessels as they enter the brain.

Central Nervous System Neural Structures

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  Sections of the brain

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  Cross section of the brain showing lobes of the brain

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  Cross section of the brain showing the basal ganglia, thalamus, and hypothalamus.

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  Special focus on the basal ganglia

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  Spinal cord levels of innervation

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  Dermatomes

Brainstem

The brainstem lies at the base of the brain and the top of the spinal cord. It connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord and cerebellum. It has three sections: midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata (listed in descending order). The brainstem controls many vital functions, including breathing, consciousness, blood pressure, heart rate, and sleep.  

Cerebrum

The cerebrum has two cerebral hemispheres (right and left). The two cerebral hemispheres are connected by the corpus callosum which facilitates communication between both sides of the brain.

The hemispheres are further divided into four lobes:

• occipital
• parietal
• temporal
• frontal

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the cerebral hemispheres is called the cerebral cortex. This sheet of neural tissue has up to six layers of nerve cells. It is covered by the meninges and is often referred to as grey matter. The cerebral cortex covers the internal white matter.

Basal Ganglia

The basal ganglia is a group of subcortical nuclei within the brain. The basal ganglia is primarily involved in motor control, motor learning, executive functions and emotional behaviours. It also plays a role in reward and reinforcement, addictive behaviours and habit formation.

Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is centrally located in the brain. It is a bilateral grouping of 11 nuclei. These nuclei are divided into three zones and they surround the third ventricle and the mammillary bodies of the diencephalon.

The hypothalamus helps coordinate many autonomic functions to regulate and maintain homeostasis, using hormonal signals via the endocrine system, and by affecting autonomic and somatic behaviours. The hypothalamus receives input from circulating hormones.

The pituitary gland is connected to the hypothalamus. This forms the physical connection between the central nervous system and the endocrine system. To learn more about the pituitary gland and its relationship with the hypothalamus, please see this article. The hypothalamus also affects the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, kidneys, musculoskeletal system, and reproductive organs via the endocrine system.

Limbic System

The limbic system refers to a number of areas within the brain, which lie mainly on the medial side of the temporal lobe:

• the limbic system is involved in the high-level processing of emotional and memory-related aspects of sensory information. The main outflow of the limbic system is to the prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus and other cortical areas. It appears to have a role in attaching behavioural significance and generating responses to stimuli.
• injury / damage to this area affects emotional responses.
• the limbic system supports various higher-level functions including (1) emotion, (2) behaviour, (3) motivation, (4) long-term memory, and (5) olfaction.

Cerebellum

The cerebellum is involved in regulating movement and balance control. It has an "extensively furrowed" surface area and contains around 80% of the brain’s total neurons. These neurons are organised in a dense cellular layer.

Spinal Cord

The spinal cord consists of a densely packed column of nerve tissue, which runs from the brainstem to around L1-2 in adults. It weighs around 35g and is only around 1cm in diameter. The spinal cord sends information to and from the brain and periphery.

Spinal nerves contain both motor and sensory nerve fibres. Therefore, they are considered mixed nerves. The cell bodies of the sensory neurons are housed in an enlargement called the dorsal root ganglion. Structurally, these sensory neurons are pseudounipolar. The cell bodies of the motor neurons are housed in the grey matter of the spinal cord, specifically the anterior horn. The ventral (or anterior) root ganglia are where the nerve roots exit the spinal cord to the PNS. Sensory and motor neurons communicate at each spinal level through interneurons.

The dorsal root of each spinal cord segment is responsible for innervating specific corresponding areas of skin that can be mapped onto the surface of the body, termed dermatomes. Similarly, myotomes are groups of muscles that are innervated by a single ventral nerve root. Dermatomes and myotomes allow for clinical assessment of specific nerve root injuries or the level of a spinal cord injury.

Spinal nerves C7 and above exit the vertebral column above their corresponding vertebrae. Spinal nerve C8 exits between the C7 and T1 vertebrae, and the rest of the spinal nerves exit below their corresponding vertebrae. Because the spinal cord is shorter than the vertebral column and ends at around the L1 or L2 vertebra, the spinal nerve roots below that level have to descend past the end of the spinal cord in the vertebral column before exiting below their corresponding vertebrae. This forms a bundle of spinal nerve roots below the spinal cord termed the cauda equina.

After the spinal nerves exit the vertebral column they split up into dorsal and ventral rami. Dorsal rami innervate the skin and muscles of the back, while the ventral rami innervate the skin and muscles of the ventral and lateral trunk and extremities. In areas other than the thoracic spine, the ventral rami connect to form networks called nerve plexuses. These eventually give rise to peripheral nerves that provide sensorimotor innervation to the body.

Central Nervous System Blood Supply

Circle of Willis

The CNS vasculature provides the nutrients necessary for the correct functioning of the central nervous system.

Brain

Arterial blood supply to the brain comes from four vessels: the right and left internal carotid arteries and the right and left vertebral arteries.

The internal carotid arteries divide and form the anterior and middle cerebral arteries. The right and left vertebral arteries join at the pons and become the midline basilar artery.

Circle of Willis: the basilar artery and internal carotids form an arterial ring at the base of the brain, which is called the circle of Willis. The posterior cerebral arteries and the anterior and posterior communicating arteries arise from the circle of Willis. "Conjoining the two major sources of cerebral vascular supply via the circle of Willis presumably improves the chances of any region of the brain continuing to receive blood if one of the major arteries becomes occluded".

Spinal Cord

The spinal cord is supplied by the anterior spinal artery and two paired posterior spinal arteries.

Anterior spinal artery: arises from the vertebral arteries and extends from the level of the lower brainstem to the tip of the conus medullaris. It supplies the ventral medial surface of the medulla and anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord.

The posterior spinal arteries supply the dorsal third of the spinal cord. There are reinforcing branches from other arteries along the length of the cord.

If occlusion occurs, the anterior spinal artery is normally affected. This results in a loss of power and spinothalamic sensory deficit, but the dorsal column sensory capabilities are maintained.

Venous Drainage

The cerebrum, cerebellum and brainstem are drained by numerous veins, which empty into the dural venous sinuses. The spinal cord is supplied by anterior and posterior spinal veins, which drain into the internal and external vertebral plexuses.

If there is occlusion of either of these venous systems, raised intracranial pressure can develop.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The PNS includes the nerves and ganglia that are outside of the central nervous system. 

The peripheral nervous system is made up of two divisions:

• autonomic system
• somatic nervous system

Each part of this system plays a vital role in how information is communicated throughout the body.

Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for regulating involuntary body functions. Functions of the ANS include the regulation of “circulation, respiration, metabolism, secretion, body temperature, and reproduction.”

The ANS is divided into two divisions:

1. Sympathetic: preganglionic neurons are found in the lateral horn of the spinal cord from the upper-thoracic to mid-lumbar cord (T1-L3). Postganglionic cell bodies are found in vertebral and prevertebral ganglia. Uses noradrenalin (norepinephrine) as postganglionic transmitter. This system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response.
2. Parasympathetic: preganglionic neurons have cell bodies in the brainstem and sacrum. Postganglionic cell bodies are found adjacent to or within the walls of the organ they supply. Uses acetylcholine (ACh) as postganglionic transmitter. This system is responsible for the "rest and digest" response.

Somatic Nervous System

The somatic nervous system sends sensory and motor information to and from the central nervous system.

Cranial and spinal nerves contribute to the somatic nervous system:

• cranial nerves provide voluntary motor control and sensation to the head and face
• spinal nerves supply the trunk and limbs

The posterior rami travel backwards to supply the vertebral column, vertebral muscles and skin of the back whilst the anterior rami supply the limbs and anterior trunk. The majority of anterior rami combine to form nerve plexuses from which many major peripheral nerves stem. The exception to this is the anterior rami of the thoracic region which travel relatively independently from one another without forming plexuses, as the intercostal and subcostal nerves of the trunk.

Nervous plexuses are as follows:

• C1-C4 form the cervical plexus
• C5-T1 combine into the brachial plexus
• T12-L4 form the lumbar plexus
• L4-S4 combine into the sacral plexus

Sensory Systems

The sensory nervous system processes sensory information - i.e. information that is transmitted to the spinal cord and brain from peripheral sensory receptors. The sensory receptors are specialised neurons or nerve endings. If you would like to learn more, please see Sensation.

There are five main (primary or special) senses:

• touch/somatosensory
• vision
• hearing
• taste/gustatory
• smell/olfaction

Clinical Pearl: Pain Sensations

Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience, associated with potential or actual tissue damage. Nociception defines the processing of information about damaging stimuli by the nervous system up to the level of the cortex. Potentially damaging mechanical, thermal, and chemical stimuli are detected by nerve endings called nociceptors, which are found in the skin, on internal surfaces such as the periosteum, joint surfaces, and in some internal organs.

There are two types of nociceptor: A delta fibres: thinly myelinated, and activated by high threshold mechanoreceptors; unmyelinated C-fibres: activated by polymodal nociceptors (PMN) and respond to intense mechanical stimulation, high temperatures and irritant chemicals.

There are three main pathways that transmit nociceptive signals to the brain:

• spinothalamic tract
• spinoreticular tract
• spinomesencephalic (or spinotectal) tract

Motor Systems

Motor systems are the areas of the nervous system responsible for controlling movement. Achieving neural control of the somatic motor system depends on "complex feedback mechanisms between the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and musculoskeletal structures."

Neuromuscular Junction

The neuromuscular junction is the synaptic connection between a muscle and the terminal end of a motor nerve. Information, in the form of electrical impulses, reaches the presynaptic membrane at the end of an axon and triggers the release of neurotransmitters. In skeletal muscles, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is often used. The neurotransmitters then cross the gap between the motor neuron and the motor end plate on the muscle, a space termed the synaptic cleft. The motor end plate contains receptors which then receive the neurotransmitters, and this signal is then translated into muscle action.

Additional Resources

The following videos are optional resources. They provide a deeper understanding and alternative mode of learning about the neuroanatomical structures discussed in this article.

This video, which is 8:21 minutes, provides an overview of the anatomy of the cerebral cortex.

This 2:01-minute video provides an overview of the physiology of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.

This video, which is 9:36 minutes, discusses the motor system and functional motor units.

This 9:05-minute video provides an overview of pain physiology and the different types of pain the body can experience.

These last two videos, 10:22 and 4:33 minutes respectively, provide a review of cerebral anatomy and a discussion of cerebral blood vessels and supply.