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There are several different types of nerves:
- Afferent - Nerves that carry information from the body to the brain
- Efferent - Nerves that carry information from the brain to the body
- Mixed - Nerves that contain both efferent and afferent fibers
- Spinal - Nerves that go through the spinal cord to provide enervation to the body
What are the three main functions of the nervous system?
What Do the Different Parts of The Nervous System Do?
- Central Nervous System. The spinal cord directs signals from the brain to the body and is capable of controlling simple reflexes without transmitting information from the brain.
- Peripheral Nervous System. ...
- See a Neurologist. ...
What do the different parts of the nervous system do?
Your two major divisions: the central nervous system
- Nervous System. A ball comes toward you and you swing your bat. ...
- CNS & PNS. This is a nice, tidy way to look at the nervous system, but in reality it’s a very involved system made up of billions of cells that ...
- Subdivisions of PNS. ...
- Somatic & Autonomic NS. ...
- Divisions of the Autonomic NS. ...
- Lesson Summary. ...
- Nervous System Terms ; Definitions
- Learning Outcomes
What are the 2 main divisions of the nervous system?
You can divide up all the nerves in the body into roughly two parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system . The central nervous system contains two organs—the brain and the spinal cord. It has all four types of nerve cells and is the only place you can find inter-neurons.
Do you know all the organs of the nervous system?
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What is the structure and function of nervous?
The nervous system is a complex collection of nerves and specialized cells known as neurons that transmit signals between different parts of the body. It is essentially the body's electrical wiring. Structurally, the nervous system has two components: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
What are the 3 structures of the nervous system?
Central Nervous System Structure. The CNS has three main components: the brain, the spinal cord, and the neurons (or nerve cells).
What is the basic structure of the nervous system called?
The central nervous system (CNS) is the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is everything else (Figure 1). The brain is contained within the cranial cavity of the skull, and the spinal cord is contained within the vertebral cavity of the vertebral column.
What is the structure of the nervous cell?
A nerve cell (neuron) consists of a large cell body and nerve fibers—one elongated extension (axon) for sending impulses and usually many branches (dendrites) for receiving impulses. The impulses from the axon cross a synapse (the junction between two nerve cells) to the dendrite of another cell.
What are the 5 main parts of the nervous system?
The PNS is broken into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.Somatic Nervous System. The somatic nervous system is made up of motor neurons and sensory neurons that help the body perform voluntary activities.Autonomic Nervous System. ... Sympathetic Nervous System. ... Parasympathetic Nervous System.
What is the largest structure in the nervous system?
Brain. At the anterior end of the spinal cord lies the brain. The brain makes up the largest portion of the CNS. It is often the main structure referred to when speaking of the nervous system in general.
What are the 7 parts of the nervous system?
The central nervous system (defined as the brain and spinal cord) is usually considered to have seven basic parts: the spinal cord, the medulla, the pons, the cerebellum, the midbrain, the diencephalon, and the cerebral hemispheres (Figure 1.10; see also Figure 1.8).
What are 3 main functions of the nervous system?
The nervous system has three overlapping functions based on sensory input, integration, and motor output. At a more integrative level, the primary function of the nervous system is to control and communicate information throughout the body.
What are the 4 main functions of the nervous system?
The four main functions of the nervous system are:Control of body's internal environment to maintain 'homeostasis' An example of this is the regulation of body temperature. ... Programming of spinal cord reflexes. An example of this is the stretch reflex. ... Memory and learning. ... Voluntary control of movement.
What is the function of nervous cell?
Nerve cells carry out different functions such as receiving the message from within or outside of the body, transferring the messages from body part to the brain, and carrying the signal from the brain to different parts of the body. Thus, nerve cell helps the brain in control and coordination of the body.
How is the structure of a nerve cell related to its function?
The structure of a neuron allows it to rapidly transmit nerve impulses to other cells. The axon of many neurons has an outer layer called a myelin sheath . Regularly spaced nodes, or gaps, in the myelin sheath allow nerve impulses to skip along the axon very rapidly.
What is the main function of a nerve cell?
Nerve cells (neurones) are 'excitable' cells which can transduce a variety of stimuli into electrical signals, continuously sending information about the external and internal environment (in the form of sequences of action potentials) to the central nervous system (CNS).
What are 3 main functions of the nervous system?
The nervous system has three overlapping functions based on sensory input, integration, and motor output. At a more integrative level, the primary function of the nervous system is to control and communicate information throughout the body.
What are the 4 main functions of the nervous system?
The four main functions of the nervous system are:Control of body's internal environment to maintain 'homeostasis' An example of this is the regulation of body temperature. ... Programming of spinal cord reflexes. An example of this is the stretch reflex. ... Memory and learning. ... Voluntary control of movement.
How are the structures of the nervous system linked?
Overall the nervous system is a vast biological computing device formed by a network of gray matter regions interconnected by white matter tracts. The brain sends messages via the spinal cord to peripheral nerves throughout the body that serve to control the muscles and internal organs.
Which structures in the central nervous system have a role in the body's voluntary movement?
The motor cortex allows for the precise voluntary movements of our skeletal muscles, while the Broca area controls motor functions responsible for producing language. The parietal lobe is separated from the occipital lobe by the parieto-occipital sulcus and is behind the central sulcus.
What is the central nervous system made of?
The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord.
What is the basic unit of the nervous system?
The basic unit of the nervous system is a nerve cell, or neuron. The human brain contains about 100 billion neurons. A neuron has a cell body, which includes the cell nucleus, and special extensions called axons (pronounced AK-sonz) and dendrites (pronounced DEN-drahytz ). Bundles of axons, called nerves, are found throughout the body.
What are the parts of the brain that communicate?
The brain is made up of many networks of communicating neurons and glia. These networks allow different parts of the brain to “talk” to each other and work together to control body functions, emotions, thinking, behavior, and other activities. 1, 2, 3.
What are the functions of neurons?
Sensory neurons detect light, sound, odor, taste, pressure, and heat and send messages about those things to the brain. Other parts of the nervous system control involuntary processes. These include keeping a regular heartbeat, releasing hormones like adrenaline, opening the pupil in response to light, and regulating the digestive system.
What is the name of the cell that sends electrical signals to neighboring neurons?
The nervous system also includes non-neuron cells, called glia (pronounced GLEE-uh ). Glia perform many important functions that keep the nervous system working properly.
What are the two main parts of the nervous system?
The structure of the nervous system is divided into two main systems: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system (CNS) contains the brain and the spinal cord. The central nervous system is where we receive sensory information, generate thoughts and emotions, and store memories.
What is the peripheral nervous system?
The peripheral nervous system contains within it several more divisions. It is first divided into the somatic nervous system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS).#N#The somatic nervous system allows for the voluntary control of muscle and skeletal actions. It is what enables us to kick a ball or raise our hand. It also senses external stimuli such as the presence of a raindrop on our arm or the temperature of the water.#N#The autonomic nervous system is mostly involuntary. It regulates homeostasis in the body by controlling heart rate, digestion, pupil dilation, breathing capacity, etc.
How does the autonomic nervous system regulate homeostasis?
It regulates homeostasis in the body by controlling heart rate, digestion, pupil dilation, breathing capacity, etc. The autonomic nervous system is divided into two more systems: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. This structure of the nervous system is frequently discussed and examined within a holistic view ...
What is the effect of chronic stress on the nervous system?
In other words, it can inhibit the body’s rest-and-repair (e.g., digestion) mode while wearing out its flight or fight response (e.g., chronic hypertension leading to heart failure).
Which system is responsible for storing memories?
The central nervous system is where we receive sensory information, generate thoughts and emotions, and store memories. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes the axons or nerves (i.e., bundles of axons) that originate in the brain and spinal cord and then flow out through the body into limbs and organs.
Is the nervous system divided into multiple systems?
The structure of the nervous system is divided into multiple systems. For you visual learners I’ve included a nervous system diagram at the end of this article.
Does the sympathetic nervous system deal with stress?
As we can see in the existence of the sympathetic nervous system, our bodies are meant to deal with stress. Unfortunately they are not meant to deal with the amount and frequency of stress we commonly face today. Constant low-grade stress, or acute high-intensity stress can lead to an autonomic nervous system imbalance.
How is the nervous system divided?
First, the basic functions of the nervous system are sensation, integration, and response. Secondly , control of the body can be somatic or autonomic—divisions that are largely defined by the structures that are involved in the response.
What are the two regions of the nervous system called?
These two regions within nervous system structures are often referred to as gray matter (the regions with many cell bodies and dendrites) or white matter (the regions with many axons). [link] demonstrates the appearance of these regions in the brain and spinal cord.
What are the structures of the PNS?
The structures of the PNS are referred to as ganglia and nerves, which can be seen as distinct structures. The equivalent structures in the CNS are not obvious from this overall perspective and are best examined in prepared tissue under the microscope.
What are the two major regions of the nervous system?
The nervous system can be divided into two major regions: the central and peripheral nervous systems. The central nervous system (CNS) is the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is everything else ( [link] ). The brain is contained within the cranial cavity of the skull, and the spinal cord is contained within ...
What are the two types of cells in the CNS?
Nervous tissue, present in both the CNS and PNS, contains two basic types of cells: neurons and glial cells . A glial cell is one of a variety of cells that provide a framework of tissue that supports the neurons and their activities.
Which division of the nervous system controls the smooth muscle and glandular tissue in the digestive system?
There is another division of the nervous system that describes functional responses. The enteric nervous system (ENS) is responsible for controlling the smooth muscle and glandular tissue in your digestive system. It is a large part of the PNS, and is not dependent on the CNS.
Which is more functionally important, the neuron or the nervous system?
The neuron is the more functionally important of the two, in terms of the communicative function of the nervous system. To describe the functional divisions of the nervous system, it is important to understand the structure of a neuron .
What is the function of the nervous system?
Your nervous system uses specialized cells called neurons to send signals, or messages, all over your body. These electrical signals travel between your brain, skin, organs, glands and muscles. The messages help you move your limbs and feel sensations, such as pain.
How does the nervous system affect your body?
Your nervous system affects every aspect of your health, including your: Thoughts, memory, learning, and feelings.
Why do nerves get trapped?
Nerves can be pinched or trapped for many reasons, such as overuse (as in carpal tunnel syndrome ), a tumor, or structural problems like sciatica. Toxic substances: Chemotherapy medicines, illegal drugs, excessive alcohol and poisonous substances can cause peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage.
How do nerves regulate your body?
It regulates your body’s systems and allows you to experience your environment. A vast network of nerves sends electrical signals to and from other cells, glands, and muscles all over your body. These nerves receive information from the world around you.
What part of the body sends electrical signals?
Each part contains billions of cells called neurons, or nerve cells. These special cells send and receive electrical signals through your body to tell it what to do. Central nervous system (CNS): Your brain and spinal cord make up your CNS. Your brain uses your nerves to send messages to the rest of your body.
How to prevent nerve damage?
It needs care to keep working correctly. See your doctor regularly, eat a healthy diet, avoid drugs, and only drink alcohol in moderation . The best way to avoid nerve damage from disease is to manage conditions that can injure your nerves, such as diabetes.
What do motor neurons tell you?
Motor neurons tell your muscles to move. Sensory neurons take information from your senses and send signals to your brain. Other types of neurons control the things your body does automatically, like breathing, shivering, having a regular heartbeat and digesting food.
