The Brain For Beginners

5.12.05

Essential knowledge:
• Basic development of the brain and spinal cord.
• Parts of the central nervous system.
• Blood supply.
• Surface of the brain.
• Circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.
• Structure of the central nervous system and brain.
• Cranial nerves.

• Very complex.
• Anatomy should not be divorced from function.
• Clinical diagnoses based on understanding of anatomy and function.

Components of the human nervous system:
• Central nervous system.
• Peripheral nervous system.
• Autonomic nervous system.

Blood supply:
• Carotid (internal).
• Vertebral.

Thomas Willis (1621 - 1673):
• English physician.
• Father of neurology.
• Co-founder of Royal Society (1652).

Ventricles:
• 4 in total.
• Lateral occupy left and right sides of cortex.

Choroid plexus:
• Specialised capillary network.
• Produces cerebrospinal fluid.
• Located at root of each ventricle.