9808 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Occipital Lobe, Collagen, Melatonin

• School: University of Canberra
• Department: University of Canberra
• Course: 9808
• Professor: Julie Cooke

Document Summary

Cns function is to receive sensory information, initiate motor output, integrate information going in (spinal cord for reflexes and brain for thinking, emotions, memory, hormones and neurotransmitter production) Grey matter/outer layer: neural cell bodies and unmyelinated axons, grows faster hence folded area. Meninges that cover the brain are continuous with spinal cord - all one big layer which means any damage through trauma would be very serious. Dura mater: outermost layer, very tough nature, encloses cerebrospinal fluid to allow cushioning. Arachnoid mater: made of collagen and elastin fibres, avascular (no blood supply), small space for cerebrospinal fluid between for cushioning. Pia mater: closest, delicate, tightly attached to brain. Impermeable to water, contains blood vessels to nourish brain fluid flows between layer above. 2 lateral (one in each hemisphere and the third sits in middle of thalamus, 4th is further down in spinal cord. Major function = produces and circulates cerebrospinal fluid (fluid produced by plexus)