Fig. 142—Location of cerebral functions. Diagram of cerebrum, showing most of the areas whose functions are known.
The work of locating the functions of different parts of the cerebrum forms one of the most interesting chapters in the history of brain physiology. The portions having to do with sight, voluntary motion, speech, and hearing have been rather accurately determined, while considerable evidence as to the location of other functions has been secured. Much of the cerebral surface, however, is still undetermined (Fig. 142).
NERVOUS CONTROL OF IMPORTANT PROCESSES
Circulation of the Blood.—1. Control of the Heart.—The ability to contract at regular intervals has been shown to reside in the heart [pg 319]muscle. Among other proofs is that furnished by cold-blooded animals, like the frog, whose heart remains active for quite a while after its removal from the body. These automatic contractions, however, are not sufficient to meet all the demands made upon the circulation. The needs of the tissues for the constituents of the blood vary with their activity, and it is therefore necessary to vary frequently the force and rapidity of the heart's contractions. Such changes the heart itself is unable to bring about.
For the purpose of controlling the rate and force of its contractions, the heart is connected with the central nervous system by two kinds of fibers:
a. Fibers that convey excitant impulses to the heart to quicken its movements.
b. Fibers that convey inhibitory impulses to the heart to retard its movements.
The cell-bodies of the excitant fibers are found in the sympathetic ganglia, but fibers from the bulb connect with and control them. The cell-bodies of the inhibitory fibers are located in the bulb, from where their fibers pass to the heart as a part of the vagus nerve.
In addition to the fibers above mentioned, are those that convey impulses from the heart to the bulb. These connect with neurons that in turn connect with blood vessels and with them act reflexively, when the heart is likely to be overstrained, to cause a dilation of the blood vessels. This lessens the pressure which the heart must exert to empty itself of blood. These fibers serve, in this way, as a kind of safety valve for the heart.
2. Control of Arteries.—Changes in the rate and force of the heart's contractions can be made to correspond only to the general needs of the body. When the blood supply to a particular organ is to be increased or diminished, this is accomplished through the muscular coat in the arteries. The connection of the arterial muscle with the sympathetic ganglia and the method by which they vary the flow of blood to different organs has already been explained (pages 311 and 49), so that only the location of the controlling neurons need be noted here. These, like the controlling neurons of the heart, have their cell-bodies in the bulb. It thus appears that the entire control of the circulation is effected in a reflex manner through the nerve centers in the bulb. These centers are stimulated by conditions that relate to the movement of the blood through the body.