Anatomical and physiological foundations of consciousness

The anatomical and physiological basis of consciousness is the interaction of the intermediate brain and the cortex, and the intermediate brain provides wakefulness, as well as the normal alternation of wakefulness and sleep, while the cerebral cortex takes care of the content of consciousness.

The anatomical structure, known as the reticular formation, runs through the middle of the brain stem along its entire length. The nerve fibers of this structure go directly to the cerebral cortex or indirectly, after the relay breaks in the tiny nuclei of the thalamus. A large number constantly arrives in the reticular formation.impulses from the periphery and other parts of the central nervous system, so it is constantly supplied with energy. Alertness is provided by the so-called ARAS (ascending reticular activating system), which is located in the central part of the brain, midbrain, medulla oblongata and NDTPS (diffuse nonspecific thalamic projection system). In addition to the tonic activation of the cortex, which we associate with the state of wakefulness, there is also a physical one, in close connection with the intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus, thanks to which the function of attention is carried out. The mentioned physiological observations are confirmed by clinical experience, which shows that only extensive damage to the cerebral cortex leads to loss of consciousness.hemispheres of the brain, but this, on the contrary, even moderate damage to the middle structures of the thalamus and the midbrain entails a clear violation or even loss of consciousness. Alexander Romanov Luria, the "father" of neuropsychology, identifies three main functional blocks, or three main brain apparatuses, whose participation is necessary for the realization of any form of mental activity.:

A unit that provides tone control or wakefulness;
The unit for receiving and storing information coming from the external environment;
Block of programming, regulation and control of mental activity;
The quantitative aspect of consciousness (alertness) largely depends on the first block, which is described in the previous text, but the quality of consciousness implies the preservation of all three blocks. Clinical observations show that violations of other mental functions (perception, memory, thinking, emotions, will, instincts, intelligence, attention and morality) ultimately do not ignore the function of consciousness, although formal alertness in patients can be completely preserved. sensuelas.com/nl/massage-parlors/