Nerves are the most important formations. They are bundles of nerve fibers that are enclosed in a connective tissue sheath called epineurium. The number of nerves in the human body is very large. At the same time, there are both fairly large trunks and very small branches.
About what nerves are
Nerves are a kind of high-speed highways through which a huge amount of information is transmitted every second. It is generated in a great variety of receptors that are scattered throughout the body, including on its surface. At the same time, receptors collect information, which subsequently enters the brain, where ideas about the world around and the internal state of the body are generated. After that, a response is formed in the cerebral cortex. As a nerve impulse, it moves along the fibers to those nerves that force certain structures of the body to act according to the established pattern.
What science studies nerves?
In this case, we are talking about neuroscience. This science isa complex of knowledge about the nervous tissue, as well as about the mechanisms of impulse transmission along specialized fibers. In addition, neurology studies all violations of the body's activity associated with the pathology of the nervous tissue. Also, specialists in this field are developing effective methods for diagnosing and treating nerve diseases.
About nerve damage
Nerves are very complex structures. At the same time, in the body there are both very small branches of this tissue, and entire nerve trunks. Damage to large structures is especially dangerous for the body. The fact is that it is thanks to them that the relationship between the main organs, muscle groups and analyzers on the one hand and the brain on the other is carried out.
The most common problem associated with nerves is an inflammatory process that develops in their tissues. Most often, this leads to rather unpleasant sensations in those areas that are innervated by damaged structures. In this case, often the case is not limited to pain. Often, the process leads to a violation of the function of certain structures of the body.
There is no doubt that nerves are very important structures. This is also evidenced by the fact that when they completely intersect, the activity of the organs and tissues innervated by them is disrupted. In the event that, for example, the auditory nerve is damaged on both sides, a person may completely lose the ability to analyze sound vibrations. At the same time, this tissue regenerates extremelyslowly, and most often, a completely intersected structure consisting of it no longer restores its integrity. As a result, the auditory nerve after a serious injury will no longer be able to recover. In this case, the ability to analyze sound vibrations on the affected side will not return.
So nerve damage is a rather dangerous pathology that can lead to serious disruption of the whole organism.
About the facial nerve
One of the most important and often mentioned is this particular nerve. The fact is that he alone is responsible for a fairly extensive and very significant area. It is from him that all the nerves of the face originate. It is one of the 12 nerve trunks, which are called cranial. It is thanks to him that each person has the opportunity to express his attitude to a particular event with the help of facial muscles. A very dangerous condition is when these nerves are damaged. Photos of people with a complete intersection of these nerves show a completely emotionless face. In addition, with this pathology, there is a violation of the functions of chewing, swallowing and phonation.
Motor disorders
Nerves are a kind of highways through which information flows not only to the brain, but also in the opposite direction. If one or another nerve is damaged, paresis or even paralysis of a certain muscle group is quite possible.
To coordinate movements in the upper limbs, a sufficiently large valuehas an ulnar nerve. From a functional point of view, it is mixed. This means that the ulnar nerve is able to conduct impulses to muscle groups and from surface receptors to the brain. In the first case, a motor function is realized, and in the second, a sensitive one. With a complete intersection of this nerve, a person loses sensitivity in the little finger and ring finger. Partially suffers and the middle finger of the hand. In addition, the possibility of bending, adduction and breeding in this area is lost. Also, the person becomes unable to adduct the thumb, which seriously reduces the quality of life.
About spinal injuries
What are nerves and how important they are can be understood by the example of the spinal cord. The fact is that it is the second largest accumulation of nervous tissue after the brain. It is through it that information from the cerebral cortex and subcortical structures passes to all organs and tissues. Through the spinal cord, the data received by the receptors are sent to the brain for further analysis.
Perhaps the most dangerous are injuries of the spinal trunk. The fact is that they can lead to complete paralysis of the human body. This is observed when crossing the spinal cord in the cervical region. In the event that the integrity of the nerve trunk at the level of the thoracic vertebrae is violated, a person loses the ability to control his legs and pelvic organs.
Nervous tissue damage in diabetes
One of the most commoncomplications of diabetes mellitus is distal polyneuropathy. It is damage to nerve fibers caused by constantly elevated levels of glucose in the body. The fact is that such an imbalance in metabolism leads to serious trophic disorders. In the future, this contributes to the atrophy of the nervous tissue. Small nerves located in the distal parts of the upper and lower extremities are especially susceptible to this pathological process.
When the nervous tissue in this area is damaged, the sensitivity of proprioceptive receptors is disturbed in a person. In addition, he may begin to feel a burning or tingling sensation, which will first spread only to the fingertips, and then gradually rise higher. In the event of the development of this complication, it is extremely difficult to get rid of it. That is why it is very important for patients with diabetes to constantly monitor their blood glucose levels.
Strokes and their effects on the brain
One of the most dangerous conditions in neurology is a cerebral hemorrhage. It is called a stroke. This condition is dangerous in that it can lead to significant disruptions in the activity of the human body due to damage to entire sections of the nervous tissue of the brain, and in some cases even death.
The occurrence of a stroke is more often due to a significant increase in blood pressure, followed by rupture of the vessel and hemorrhage. As a result, this or that part of the brain is damaged.
The most common disorders that occur with strokes are paralysis and paresis in the lower and upper limbs, speech and facial expressions. Many patients after a cerebral hemorrhage remain paralyzed for life. In order to restore the previously lost function, it is necessary to carry out serious and lengthy rehabilitation measures. However, they are not always successful.
On the prospects for research in neurology
Nerves are very complex and not fully understood structures. Currently, neurologists from all over the planet are trying to develop new methods for restoring nervous tissue. If a method is discovered that significantly accelerates the regeneration of nervous tissue, this will solve a huge number of medical problems. Patients who have suffered serious spinal injuries will be able to move independently again, returning to a normal social life.
Another promising direction is the creation of a synthetic implant that can replace damaged parts of the nervous tissue. Some developments in this area already exist, but their mass use in medical practice is hindered by the too high cost of such implants. Currently, most often the integrity of the damaged area of the nervous tissue is restored with the help of its prosthesis with its own phrenic nerve.
