The central nervous system : structure and function / Per Brodal.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Brodal, Per.

Contributor:

Rosengarten Family Fund.

Standardized Title:

Sentralnervesystemet. English

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Central nervous system.

Central Nervous System--physiology.

Central Nervous System--anatomy & histology.

Medical Subjects:

Central Nervous System--physiology.

Central Nervous System--anatomy & histology.

Physical Description:

xv, 515 pages : illustrations ; 29 cm

Edition:

Third edition.

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2004.

Summary:

A major goal of this well-established textbook is to provide knowledge and understanding of neuroscience as a basis for clinical thinking. The strong emphasis on linking basic sciences with their clinical application has implications for the choices of which topics to treat in depth and which to treat more summarily -- making this different from most other neuroscience textbooks. For example, topics of great practical importance like the cranial nerves, the autonomic nervous system, and pain are treated in depth. The book provides clear descriptions of brain structures and relates them to their functional properties by incorporating data ranging from molecular biology to clinical neurology and psychiatry. The focus is on fostering understanding of how the brain works rather than on the memorization of many details. Critical thinking is encouraged by providing information about the scientific basis for many "facts" and pointing out where the evidence is insufficient to reach final conclusions. The many two-color illustrations -- based on the author's long experience in teaching medical students -- make it easy to grasp complex structural and functional relationships. The third edition goes further than the previous ones in integrating material from all fields of the neurosciences. Two new chapters have been included on the vestibular system and control of eye movements, and all other chapters have been thoroughly revised. Although new material has been added, the total length of the text is virtually unchanged due to careful rewriting and elimination of less important material. There are many completely new figures and numerous others have been redrawn to enhance clarity.

Contents:

A Brief Survey xi

Studying the Structures and Function of the Nervous System xiii

Animal Experiments Crucial for Progress xiii

Ethics and Animal Experiments xiv

Sources of Error in All Methods xiv

Revising Scientific Truths from Time to Time xv

I Main Features of Structure and Function

1. Cellular Elements of Nervous Tissue 3

Structure of the Neuron 3

Coupling of Neurons: Pathways for Signals 10

The Cytoskeleton and Axonal Transport 15

Glial Cells 17

2. Functional Properties of Neurons 26

Basis of Excitability and Impulse Propagation 26

Synaptic Transmission 35

Neurotransmitters and Their Receptors 47

3. Parts of the Nervous System 66

The Spinal Cord 66

The Brain Stem 74

The Cerebrum 83

The Cerebellum 88

The Coverings of the Brain 89

The Cerebral Ventricles and the Cerebrospinal Fluid 90

The Blood Supply of the Central Nervous System 94

4. Development, Aging, and Plasticity of the Nervous System 103

Development of the Nervous System 103

The Nervous System and Aging 122

Restitution of Function 125

II Sensory Systems

5. Sensory Receptors in General 135

Sensory Units and Their Receptive Fields 135

Transduction: The Translation of Stimuli to Action Potentials 135

Receptor Properties 137

Classification on the Basis of Receptor Properties 137

Receptors and Subjective Sensory Experience 138

6. The Somatosensory System 139

Exteroceptors: Cutaneous Sensation 139

Proprioceptors: Deep Sensation 145

The Sensory Fibers and the Dorsal Roots 155

The Central Somatosensory Pathways 161

The Somatosensory Cortical Regions 172

Pain 175

7. The Visual System 183

The Eyeball and the Refracting Media 183

The Retina 185

Organization of the Visual Pathways 194

The Visual Cortex and the Final Processing of Visual Information 200

8. The Auditory System 208

The Cochlea 208

The Auditory Pathways 215

The Auditory Cortex 219

9. The Sense of Equilibrium 221

Structure and Function of the Vestibular Apparatus 221

Connections of the Vestibular Nuclei 224

Vestibular Reflexes 226

Receptors and Reflexes of Importance for Body Balance 228

Cortical Processing of Vestibular Signals 231

10. Olfaction and Taste 233

The Olfactory System 233

The Sense of Taste 237

III Motor Systems

11. The Peripheral Motor Neurons and Reflexes 243

Motoneurons and Muscles 243

Reflexes 251

Muscle Tone 258

Injury of Peripheral Motor Neurons and Regeneration 261

12. The Central Motor Pathways 265

The Pyramidal Tract (The Corticospinal Tract) 265

Other Descending Pathways to the Spinal Cord 271

Control of Automatic Movements 274

Motor Cortical Areas and Control of Voluntary Movements 276

Symptoms Caused by Interruptions of Central Motor Pathways (Upper Motor Neurons) 281

13. The Basal Ganglia 286

Structure and Connections of the Basal Ganglia 286

The Ventral Striatum 296

Functions of the Basal Ganglia 297

Diseases of the Basal Ganglia 299

14. The Cerebellum 303

Subdivisions and Afferent Connections of the Cerebellum 303

The Cerebellar Cortex and the Mossy and Climbing Fibers 309

Efferent Connections of the Cerebellum 312

Cerebellar Functions and Symptoms in Disease 315

15. Control of Eye Movements 321

The Eye Muscles and Movements of the Eyes 321

Central Control of Eye Movements 323

IV The Brain Stem and the Cranial Nerves

16. Reticular Formation 333

Structure and Connections of the Reticular Formation 333

Functions of the Reticular Formation 340

Consciousness 342

Sleep 345

17. The Cranial Nerves 349

General Organization of the Cranial Nerves 349

The Hypoglossal Nerve 353

The Accessory Nerve 354

The Vagus Nerve 355

The Glossopharyngeal Nerve 358

The Vestibulocochlear Nerve 359

The Facial and Intermediate Nerves 359

The Trigeminal Nerve 361

The Abducens, Trochlear, and Oculomotor Nerves 364

V The Autonomic Nervous System

18. The Peripheral Autonomic Nervous System 371

General Organization of the Autonomic System 371

Peripheral Parts of the Sympathetic System 374

Peripheral Parts of the Parasympathetic System 380

The Enteric Nervous System 382

Functional Aspects of the Autonomic Nervous System 382

Neurotransmitters in the Autonomic Nervous System 386

Sensory Innervation of Visceral Organs and Visceral Reflexes 389

19. The Central Autonomic System: Hypothalamus 397

Centers in the Brain Stem for Coordination of Behavior 397

Structure and Connections of the Hypothalamus 398

The Hypothalamus and the Endocrine System 402

Functional Aspects 405

The Hypothalamus and the Immune System 410

The Hypothalamus and Mental Functions 411

VI Limbic Structures and the Cerebral Cortex

20. The Limbic Structures: Emotions and Memory 417

The Amygdala and Emotions 417

Cortical Control of Autonomic Functions and Emotions 421

Neuronal Groups in the Basal Parts of the Hemispheres: The Basal Forebrain 423

The Hippocampal Formation: Learning and Memory 425

21. The Cerebral Cortex 435

Structure of the Cerebral Cortex 435

Connections of the Cerebral Cortex 443

Functions of the Neocortex 448

Language Functions and "Speech Areas" of the Cerebral Cortex 457

The Division of Tasks between the Hemispheres 458.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Rosengarten Family Fund.

ISBN:

0195165608

OCLC:

51769087