The Circulatory and Nervous Systems: Part 1

In order to assess, treat and evaluate clients recovering from a stroke, as an occupational therapist (or any health professional for that matter), I need to have a clear understanding of the human systems and its 'normal' physiological patterns in order to recognise when and how 'abnormal' changes occur. Like our galaxy, the human body is also made up of systems. The systems that I will be focusing on in this thread in relation to stroke are: the circulatory system and and the nervous system.

Heart

• Circulatory System: This system is the body's transport system. Like countries that have motorways, main roads, street roads, 4WD roads and tiny mountain tracks, our body's 'roads' are run by organs which transport and distribute blood. The biggest organ that runs this show is the heart. The heart is made up of valves that pump the blood. Oxygen rich blood leaves the heart via a huge artery called the aorta which then pumps it to smaller and smaller arteries throughout the body and eventually blood vessels. These vessels are our capillaries which is found in our body tissue. The capillaries then distribute the oxygen and nutrient rich blood to our cells and in return collects carbon dioxide, waste and water.  The blood which by now no longer carries nutients etc is pumped back towards the heart through our veins. Our veins carry this blood back to our heart and into our lungs where it becomes re oxygenated (recycled) and waste is eliminated.

•  Central Nervous System: This consists of your brain and spinal cord. Like the circulatory system, the CNS also consists of 'roads'. Instead of blood, there are electrical pulses running with incredible speed between the brain and spinal cord to the peripheral system (nerves which connect to muscle and glands from the brain and spinal cord). The electrical nerve pulses send, receive and process messages. The spinal collumn and skull would then be viewed as a coat of armor to protect the brain and spinal cord. In the most simplest terms (or else I would be here all day), the brain holds approximately 100 billion nerve cells and looks a bit like a cauliflower (hahaha). Your brain is the multitasking command centre for your very own US Enterprise (your body). It integrates then dispatches necessary information on average 200 times a second in relation to everything that you are currently doing and everything you are about to do. The brain is made up of multiple sections that specifically provide information processing to all your key body systems as well as things like memory, personality/behaviour, cognition, emotions etc.

References

Picture of heart.Copyright to A.D.A.M Inc in http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?imgurl=http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/08/01/health/adam/19387.jpg&imgrefurl=http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/specialtopic/physical-activity/exercise%27s-effects-on-the-heart.html&usg=__T_zj7OHubcI3PviZbRFdmajtBRk=&h=320&w=400&sz=62&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=OulHogNhHFJjeM:&tbnh=163&tbnw=203&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthe%2Bheart%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D837%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=992&ei=MgdzTLL2Hoj0swOmpYmhDQ&oei=oP1yTP6gNIXUtQPF-73_DA&esq=11&page=1&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:0&tx=97&ty=80. On 24/08/10. Site updated on
 
Picture of veins/arteries. Taken from  http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?imgurl=http://www.home-air-purifier-expert.com/images/circulatory-system.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.home-air-purifier-expert.com/picture-gallery.html&usg=__OPEpNW9H5evfvSmGmWVSJiuHrx4=&h=313&w=249&sz=23&hl=en&start=103&zoom=1&tbnid=vutNzznSJgbt8M:&tbnh=169&tbnw=119&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcirculatory%2Bsystem%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D837%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C3058&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=468&ei=egVzTMCYOIyksQO1xZHBDQ&oei=NwVzTJmGA4a6sAP816iMDQ&esq=5&page=5&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:103&tx=44&ty=92&biw=1280&bih=837. On 24/08/10. Site updated on 15/08/10.


Picture of brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Taken from http://www.health.com/health/library/mdp/0,,tp10393,00.html. On 24/08/10. Site updated on 21/07/10.


Picture of peripheral system. Taken from http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?imgurl=http://www.buzzle.com/img/articleImages/271257-55223-53.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.buzzle.com/articles/peripheral-nervous-system.html&usg=__BNrAWRBrriq5hh72kO568tUPVf8=&h=350&w=263&sz=26&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=bKGnHx3-ool1yM:&tbnh=134&tbnw=96&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dperipheral%2Bsystem%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D837%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=438&ei=zRVzTJTvGof0swOww5SSDQ&oei=zRVzTJTvGof0swOww5SSDQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=37&ved=1t:429,r:25,s:0&tx=39&ty=69. On 24/08/10. Site updated on 24/08/10.