The Nervous System

Dont get nervous about the

nervous system

Functions of the Nervous System

1. Communication and coordination
Adapt and respond to changes from both inside and
outside the body

2. Site of reasoning- your brain

3. Two main divisions
Central nervous system (CNS): brain and spinal
cord
Peripheral nervous system- the nerves

 Neuron- basic
structural unit of the
nervous system
Dendrites- carry
impulses towards the
cell
Axon-carry impulses
away from the cell
Myelin sheath
Synaptic terminal
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine
Acetylcholine

 Nerves are made of many nerve cells

Afferent-sensory nerves carry message to
brain
Efferent-motor neurons carry message
from brain to muscle
Associate- do both
Heads up

Central nervous system

Brain and spinal cord

 Cerebrum-largest
part of brain.
Responsible for
reasoning, thought,
memory, speech,
sensation, etc.
Divided into two
halves.
Further divided into
lobes; occipital,
parietal, temporal
and frontal

 Cerebellumresponsible for
muscle coordination
Brain stem- most
basic functions;
respiration,
swallowing, blood
pressure. Lower part
(medulla oblongata) is
continuous with spinal
cord

 Spinal cord- begins at

foramen magnum and
ends at second
lumbar vertebrae
Contains both afferent
(to the brain) and
efferent (motor
neurons- away from
the brain)

 Both the brain and spinal cord are covered

by a membrane system called the
meninges
In addition, the brain has four hollow areas
called ventricles. Cerebrospinal fluid is
produced in the ventricles and baths the
brain and spinal column

Peripheral nervous system

Somatic system
12 pairs cranial nerves
31 pairs spinal nerves

Autonomic
Sympathetic
Fight or flight

Parasympathetic

Disorders of the nervous system

Meningitis- inflammation of the linings of
the brain and spinal cord
Encephalitis- inflammation of the brain
Epilepsy-seizure disorder. Excessive
discharge from neurons. 1 in 200 suffer.
Grand mal or petit mal seizures
Cerebral palsy- disturbance in voluntary
muscular action
Parkinsons decreased neurotransmitter
MS multiple sclerosis- autoimmune