This lesson will give you an overview of our nervous system

To understand the nervous system, we need to know the two major anatomical
subdivisions.
The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. The cranium
encloses
the brain and the spinal cord is protected by the vertebral column.
The peripheral nervous system consists of all the nervous system except the brain
and
spinal cord.
The peripheral nervous system is functionally divided into sensory and motor
divisions.
Each of these is further divided into somatic and visceral divisions.
The sensory division carries signals from receptors to the central nervous system.
The motor division carries signals from the CNS to gland and muscles.
The visceral sensory division carries signals from the viscera of the thoracic and
abdominal
cavities.
The motor division carries signals from the CNS to gland and muscles.
The somatic sensory division carries signals from skin, muscle, bone and joint
receptors.
The visceral motor division, also known as the autonomic nervous system, carries
signals
to glands, cardiac muscles and smooth muscles involuntarily. The somatic motor
division carries signals to the skeletal muscles and produce muscular contractions.
The autonomic nervous system has two further divisions.
The sympathetic division tends to arouse the body and coordinates the body’s
response
to stress whereas
The parasympathetic division coordinates more relaxed activities such as digestion.
All these subsystems are interconnected together to form the nervous systems.