The nervous system: Introduction

• The nervous system introduction is a complex network of nerves, neurons, and supporting cells that coordinate and transmit information throughout the body.
• It is responsible for sensing and responding to various internal and external stimuli, enabling organisms to interact with their environment and maintain homeostasis.
• The nervous system can be divided into two main parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

1. Central Nervous System (CNS)

• The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord.
• It acts as the body’s control center and is responsible for processing, integrating, and coordinating sensory information, motor commands, and higher cognitive functions.

Brain:

• The brain is the primary organ of the CNS and is responsible for higher cognitive functions, such as perception, reasoning, decision-making, learning, and memory.
• It has several distinct regions, including the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem, each with specific functions.

Spinal Cord:

• The spinal cord is a long, tubular structure that extends from the brainstem and runs down the vertebral column.
• It serves as a communication pathway between the brain and the PNS, transmitting sensory information to the brain and motor commands from the brain to the body.

2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

• The PNS includes all the nerves and ganglia (clusters of nerve cell bodies) outside the CNS.
• It connects the CNS to the rest of the body, transmitting sensory information from the body to the CNS and motor commands from the CNS to the muscles, glands, and organs.
• The PNS can be further divided into two main subsystems:
  • Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
  • Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
    1. Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
    2. Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)

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