NERVOUS SYSTEM

NS 102

- the system of cells, tissues and organs that regulates the bodys responses to internal and external stimuli
- it is the master controlling and communicating system of the body

Functions:
- receiving sensory input - performing integrations - generating motor output

2 divisions of nervous system

A. central nervous system - Includes the brain and spinal cord; all of the activities of the body

Parts:
1. spinal cord - transmits neural signal between the brain and other body parts

2. brain the center of the human nervous system and is a highly complex organ

Parts of the brain

A cerebrum largest part of human brain; associated with higher brain function such as thought and action

4 sections of cerebrum
1. frontal lobe 2. occipital lobe 3. temporal lobe 4. parietal lobe

Corpus callosum bundle of axons which connects the two cerebral hemispheres

B - Cerebellum associated with regulation and coordination of movement, posture and balance

C Brain Stem responsible for basic vital life functions such as breathing, heartbeat, and blood pressure

D Diencephalon superior to the brain stem

Major structures of diencephalons
1. thalamus 2. hypothalamus 3. epithalamus

B peripheral nervous system consists mainly of nerves that extend from the brain and spinal cord
Types of nerves
1. spinal nerves
2. cranial nerves

Neurons or nerve cells functional unit of nervous system

- are cells in the body that transport messages from the brain to the cells

Parts of neurons
1. axon main branch that conducts a nerve impulse away from the cell body
2. dendrites refers to the branches that carry impulses toward a cell body
3. cell body the central portion of a nerve cell which includes a cytoplasmic mass and a nucleolus

kinds of neurons
1. sensory neuron sensory receptors to CNS; carries out impulses from receptors
2. interneuron carries impulses from sensory nerves to motor nerves
3. motor neuron carries impulses from CNS to muscles and organs

2 divisions of peripheral nervous system (PNS)

1. somatic nervous system associated with the voluntary control of body movements
2. autonomic nervous system acts as a control system functioning largely below the level of consciousness, and
controls visceral functions

2 subdivisions of autonomic nervous system

1. parasympathetic nervous system Rest and Digest System; lowers heartbeat, breathing rate and blood pressure
2. sympathetic nervous system fight or flight response; increases heart rate and blood pressure