The Vagus Nerve – The Intuitive Reporter: The vagus nerve, cranial nerve X, is the tenth of twelve paired nerves that exit the cranium. Because of its long and winding path the vagus nerve was named after the Latin word for wanderer. Originating on the brain stem, the vagus nerve exits through the cranium, then…
Author Archives: Stephen Gonzalez
The Adrenal Glands – At Rest in Activity
The Adrenal Glands – At Rest in Activity: The yellow adrenal glands sit atop the kidneys. The right adrenal gland is pyramidal in shape, the left adrenal gland has a crescent shape. Each adrenal gland has two distinct structures, the outer adrenal cortex and the inner adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex is regulated indirectly by…
The Spinal Cord – Cycling Through Time
The Spinal Cord – Cycling Through Time: The spinal cord is protected within the vertebral column. The spinal cord, however, does not travel down the entire length of the vertebral column. The spinal cord extends down from the cranium and ends coned-shaped, the conus medullaris, at the level of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. After the…
The Cerebellum – Stabilizing the Erratic
The Cerebellum – Stabilizing the Erratic: The cerebellum differs from most other parts of the brain, especially the cerebral cortex, in that the signal processing is almost entirely unidirectional. The signal proceeds through the cerebellar system, from input to output, with very little recurrent internal transmission. This feedforward mode of operation means that the cerebellum,…
The Brain Stem – Separating Doing from Being
The Brain Stem – Separating Doing from Being: The brain stem lies inferior to the brain and is continuous with the spinal cord. The brain stem is composed of, in descending order, the midbrain, the pons and the medulla oblongata. Ten of the twelve pairs of cranial nerves that exit from the skull, branch from…
The Cerebrospinal Fluid – Rinsing Perception
The Cerebrospinal Fluid – Rinsing Perception: The cerebrospinal fluid is a clear and colorless fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord. The brain and spinal cord are both buoyant in the cerebrospinal fluid. The brain and spinal cord can therefore maintain their density without being impaired by their own weight. Consequently, the cerebrospinal fluid…
Cranial Nerve Eight – Reorienting Water
Cranial Nerve VIII – Reorienting Water: The vestibulocochlear nerve, the eighth cranial nerve, transmits sound and balance from the inner ear to the brain. The vestibulocochlear nerve develops in the embryo from a thickened disc on the ectodermal surface of the head. The vestibule is the central part of the inner ear. The inner ear…
Connective Tissue – Releasing the Past
Connective Tissue – Releasing the Past: Connective tissue surrounds and permeates the human body. Ligaments connect bones to bones. Tendons connect muscles to bones. Fascia connects muscles to muscles. Connective tissue is capable of withstanding tension. Connective tissue transfers power and stability. Connective tissue is tough, fibrous and dense. Connective tissue fibers are parallel to…
Cardiac Nervous System – Center Seat at the Table
Cardiac Nervous System – Center Seat at the Table: The heart has its own intrinsic nervous system. The heart sends and receives nerve signals to and from the brain. Thereby, the heart interacts with the external world. The heart sends and receives nerve signals to and from the autonomic nervous system. Thereby, the heart interacts…
Muscle – The External and Internal Self
Muscle – The External and Internal Self: A muscle cell contains filaments that move past each other and change the length of the cell. Muscles, therefore, can move the body externally or internally. There are two types of muscles in the body, striated and smooth. Striated muscle is voluntary. Smooth muscle is involuntary. Striated muscle…
