The Human Nervous System: Structure and Function

by Noback, Charles R.; Strominger, Norman L.; Demarest, Robert J.; Ruggiero, David A.

• ISBN13: 9781588290403
• ISBN10: 1588290409
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-06-01
• Publisher: Springer Verlag

Summary

Now in its sixth best-selling edition, The Human Nervous System: Structure and Function continues to combine clear prose with high quality tailor-made medical illustrations to achieve for neuroscientists and medical students a succinct explanation of the fundamental principles behind the organization, structure, and function of the human nervous system. The distinguished authors take advantage of the many recent advances in neurobiology and molecular biology to include new coverage of such critical discoveries as stem cells, apoptosis, the role of the amygdala in stress, and the significance of dendritic spines. Among the core topics given expanded treatments are pain and pain pathways, the visual system, development and growth of the nervous system, the chemical senses of smell and taste, and the limbic system. There is also fresh material on neuronal stem cells, the auditory and vestibular systems, neurotransmitters as the chemical messengers of certain brain circuits, the cerebellum, and lesions of the spinal nerves, spinal cord, and brainstem. The superb illustrations are designed to extract and visually highlight the essence of the neuroanatomical features embedded in the complexities of the nervous system, thereby allowing the reader to match the structures of the brain with conventional X-ray pictures, and CT, MRI, and PET scans.

Table of Contents

Dedication	v
Preface	vii
Introduction and Terminology	ix
Gross Anatomy of the Brain	1	(10)
Neurons and Associated Cells	11	(30)
Basic Neurophysiology	41	(36)
Blood Circulation	77	(12)
Meninges, Ventricles, and Cerebrospinal Fluid	89	(12)
Development and Growth of the Nervous System	101	(28)
The Spinal Cord	129	(12)
Reflexes and Muscle Tone	141	(14)
Pain and Temperature	155	(22)
Discriminative General Senses, Crude Touch, and Proprioception	177	(16)
Motoneurons and Motor Pathways	193	(14)
Lesions of the Spinal Nerves and Spinal Cord	207	(12)
Brainstem: Medulla, Pons, and Midbrain	219	(24)
Cranial Nerves and Chemical Senses	243	(24)
Neurotransmitters as the Chemical Messengers of Certain Circuits and Pathways	267	(18)
Auditory and Vestibular Systems	285	(20)
Lesions of the Brainstem	305	(10)
Cerebellum	315	(14)
The Visual System	329	(20)
Autonomic Nervous System	349	(22)
Hypothalamus	371	(16)
The Reticular Formation and the Limbic System	387	(18)
Thalamus	405	(14)
Basal Ganglia and Extrapyramidal System	419	(20)
Cerebral Cortex	439	(24)
Index	463