Structure of the brain. Pons

Among all the systems of the body, the central nervous system occupies a special place. The brain regulates all the functions that a person is endowed with. Thanks to him the interrelation between the work of organs and systems is carried out. Without brain regulation, man would not be a viable being. Thanks to the coordinated activity of the central nervous system, we move, talk, think and feel external stimuli. The brain has a complex structure, each of its components is responsible for a specific function. Nevertheless, all its structures provide the work of our body only in the aggregate. Especially important formations that make up the CNS are the medulla oblongata and the variolium bridge. They contain the main vital centers (vascular, respiratory, cough, tear-separating), and also give rise to the majority of cranial nerves.

Structure of the brain

The structural unit of the CNS is the neuron. This cell is responsible for receiving, processing and storing information. The entire human brain is a cluster of neurons and their processes - axons and dendrites. They provide the transmission of signals coming into the central nervous system and back to the organs. The brain consists of gray and white matter. The first form the neurons themselves, the second - their axons. The main structures of the brain are hemispheres (left and right), cerebellum and trunk. The first are responsible for the human mind, its memory, thinking, imagination. The cerebellum is necessary for coordination of movements, in particular, it provides the ability to stand, walk, and take objects. Under it is the Varolii Bridge. It is the link between the medulla oblongata and the cerebellum.

Varoliev Bridge: structure and functions

The bridge is one of the parts of the hindbrain. Its length varies from 2.4 to 2.6 cm. The Varoliev Bridge has a mass of about 7 g. The structures that border it are the oblong and middle brain, the transverse groove. The main components of the variolium bridge are the upper and middle legs of the cerebellum, which are large conducting paths. In front there is a basilar furrow containing arteries feeding the brain, and next to it there is a place for the exit of the trigeminal nerve. On the back of the varioles, the bridge forms the upper part of the rhomboid fossa, in which 6 and 7 of the cranial nerves are laid. In the upper part of the bridge there is the largest number of nuclei (5, 6, 7, 8). At the base of the bridge there are conductive descending ways: corticospinal, bulbar and bridge tracts.

The main functions of this body are:

1. Wire - on its way pass nervous impulses to the cortex of the cerebral hemispheres and to the spinal cord.
2. The sensory function is provided by the pre-vertebral cochlear and trigeminal nerves. In the nuclei of the 8th pair of cranial nerves, information on the vestibular stimuli is processed.
3. Motor - provides reduction of all facial muscles. This is due to the nuclei of the trigeminal nerve. In addition, his sensitive part receives information from the receptors of the oral mucosa, eyeball, part of the head and teeth. These signals along the fibers of the bridge are sent to the cortex of the cerebral hemispheres.
4. Integrative function provides a relationship between the anterior and posterior brain.
5. Reflexes of the brain.

Reticular formation of the bridge

Reticular formation is a branched network located in the brain and consisting of nerve cells and nuclei. It is available in almost all formations of the central nervous system and smoothly passes from one department to another. The reticular formation of the variolium bridge is located between the medulla oblongata and the medulla. Its long processes - axons, form a white substance and pass into the cerebellum. In addition, the fibers of the nerve cells of the bridge signals can be transferred from the head in the back. In addition, the reticular formation transmits signals to the cortex of the cerebral hemispheres, due to which the awakening or sleep of a person occurs. The nuclei located in this part of the bridge belong to the center of the respiration located in the medulla oblongata.

Reflective function of the bridge

The ability of the central nervous system to respond to external stimuli is called a reflex. An example is the appearance of drooling at the sight of food, the desire to sleep with the sound of calming music, etc. Reflexes of the brain can be conditional and unconditional. The first person acquires in the process of life, they can be earned or adjusted depending on our desire. The second ones do not give in to consciousness, they are laid with birth, and it is impossible to change them. These include chewing, swallowing, grasping and other reflexes.

How the bridge affects the appearance of reflexes

Due to the fact that the Varolium bridge is an integral part of the quadruple, it has to do with the development of auditory and statistical reflexes. Thanks to the latter, we are able to keep the body in a certain position. In addition, interacting with the middle brain, it closes a significant part of the muscle reflexes.