INTRODUCTION TO CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM :

The human body is a type of machine. A machine that is made of different components. Now,
there should be some connection between those components. Also, there should be one who
can decide on behalf of every organ. Functioning every organ & as well as monitoring them
properly is not a simple task. Also, the human body should protect itself from outside threats.
All these processes need to be done smoothly. There are some nervous systems are present in
the human body to control & maintain all of these. Among all of them, the Central Nervous
System (CNS) is the major one.

What is Central Nervous System?

The human body is connected to the nervous system. Every organ in the body is connected
with the nerve cell and Neurons. The heart, liver, eye, etc. are also connected using this large
connection. Now, there are some commanding organs present in the body, they are situated in
the center of these connection bridges. They are the communicating organ or structure that
helps to maintain all the organs in the body. They are termed as Central Nervous System.The
CNS is the part of the body that is being studied by scientists most of the time. But still, it
holds some secrets in the body. Scientists often wonder by visualizing the capability of the
CNS. The CNS is responsible for the heart rate, breathing, etc. Also, helps to control emotion,
movement, desire & many more things. Also, this can be stated that all the functions that are
going on in the body,are controlled by the Central Nervous System. But there are only two
organs present in the CNS. These two organs are capable of maintaining all functions.
Key Points on Central Nervous System

There are certain important points are present in the Central Nervous System. Before having
the parts of the Central Nervous System & function of it, there is a need to look at these key
points related to the Central Nervous System. These key points help to bring basic background
knowledge of the Central Nervous System. There are mainly 10 key points present that need to
be looked at.
1.Central Nervous System is made up with the help of the Brain & Spinal Cord.
2.Central Nervous System is the starting point of the neural network of the body. All the
neurons that lie as a network in the body meet together in the Central Nervous System.

3.The Central Nervous System is responsible for controlling all emotions of the body. As well
as it controls every function in the body.

4.The Central Nervous System is made up with the help of millions of neurons. In the brain
itself, there are 100 million neurons are present.

5.The brain consumes most of the energy processed by the body. As well as brain is
responsible for the consumption of more oxygen.

6.Brain can be divided into four lobes. All these four lobes simultaneously work to assist other
functions of the body.

7. spinal cord is responsible for the reflex action of the body. So, the Central Nervous System
is the controller of reflex actions.

8.Central Nervous System is the controller of the involuntary actions of the body. Involuntary
actions like breathing are controlled by the Central Nervous System.

9.All the voluntary actions of the body are also controlled by Central Nervous System. This
includes walking, eating, etc.

10.Other than the brain & spinal cord, there are also some more parts present in the Central
Nervous System that also assist the functionality of the CNS.

Parts & Structure of Central Nervous System:

The Central Nervous System is made of two different organs. Other than these two organs,
there are several nerve cells, some specific regions, and some special cells present. Those also
can be termed as the parts of the Central Nervous System. But the major two organs are the
Brain & Spinal Cord. Both of them help to do most of the takes executed by the Central
Nervous System.

The brain is the most complex organ in the body. The brain is situated in the skull. The skull
helps to guard the brain. The brain has the outermost region known as the cerebral cortex. It
has 33 billion neurons present there. Along with that, there are several neurons are present in
the internal of some of the brains. Likely there are 100 billion neurons are present in the brain.
The brain uses 20% of body energy to perform its task.
The brain lies in the center of the Central Nervous System. It uses most of the oxygen that is
taken by the body. It is connected with several neurons. These neurons are connected to
different organs. It helps them to maintain the function of the organs. There are four lobes or
components present in the Brain. Every component of the brain has its specific task. Also,
these components are the main driving force in the brain. The collaborative work of these
components helps to maintain the function of the brain. These components are:

 Temporal Lobe: This is the special lobe in the brain. This lobe is situated on the front
side of the brain. It is placed in the lower side of the brain. This region helps to record the
 sensory inputs. And it helps to provide the meaning of those sensory inputs. Based on
that, it provides certain emotions. This region also helps to maintain the memory of the
body. This is also used for language interpretation.
 Occipital Lobe: This lobe is another important lobe. As the name suggests, this lobe is
used to maintain the task related to the optical nerve. The optical nerve is used to get
vision & it works with the eye. This region is placed at the back side of the brain. This
region is situated at the rear side of the Temporal Lobe.

 Parietal Lobe: This lobe is situated just above the Occipital Lobe. This region helps to
interpret the sensory inputs from the skin. This also helps to maintain the navigation
process. The touch senses are ultimately sent to this lobe. Then this lobe decodes the
information. Based on that, it does have some emotion. Also, this lobe helps to make the
language.
 Frontal Lobe: This lobe is situated at the front of the brain. Also, this is situated in front
of the Parietal Lobe & upper side of the Temporal Lobe. This lobe is used for attention,
short memory & planning purpose. This region helps to think factually about the future.
This is the most important lobe where dopamine-sensitive neurons are present.

Other Parts Of The Brain

Along with the four lobes, there are also some special regions present in the brain, that also
help in the Central Nervous System. Many parts of the brain are present. But those parts can be
categorized into three groups. These three groups are the three parts of the brain. They are not
the lobe. But they are imaginary groups of the brain. Depending upon the parts, there are three
groups:

The Forebrain:
This is the major part of the brain. The parts belonging to this category are having 2/3rd of the
brain area. It is the anterior part of the brain. It develops from the embryonic tube. Three parts
belong to this category.

 The Cerebrum: This is the largest part not only in this category. But this is the largest part
of the brain. There is a white matter at the center & gray matter in the surroundings. This
region helps to do the movements & regulation of temperature in the body. Also, this helps
in the thinking, reasoning & judgment process. This region also gets the nerves that help in
vision, hearing, touch, etc.
 Thalamus: This is a gland placed at the center of the brain. It helps to receive the signals
from the sensory & motor neurons. It helps in the sleep process, awareness & in alertness
situations. Also, this got the signals from the cerebral cortex.
 Hypothalamus: This is another gland present in the brain. They belong to the forebrain
part. This gland is situated just on the upper side of the brain stem. From the
 Hypothalamus, several hormones secrete that help to regulate the body. Also, this helps to
maintain body temperature, thirst & hunger.

The Midbrain
This is not a large part of the brain. The main function of this region is to make a connection
between the forebrain & the hindbrain. This is the part of the brain stem. There are three parts
are present that belongs to this category.

Basal Ganglia: This is the region that involves in the voluntary control of motor movements.
This helps to find out the response of the motor neuron. This helps to maintain the connection
in the brain.

Corpus Callosum: This is a board band of nerve fibers. This is used to join the right
hemisphere & the left hemisphere. This is the largest white matter structure in the body.
This helps to communicate with two hemispheres. Depending upon the use of the hand, the
size of the hemisphere will be changed.

Amygdala: These are two almond shape nuclei present in the temporal lobe. These are present
in the deep part of the temporal lobe. This helps in decision-making, memory & emotional
responses.

The Hindbrain
This is the lowest part of the brain. This helps to connect the brain with the spinal cord. There
are also three parts present in this area. This belongs to some of the brain stem areas. The
forebrain is the largest area of the brain. Their task is to communicate with the spinal cord.

 Cerebellum: This is the most important part of the motor neuron function. This helps to
decode the motor neuron responses & performs necessary tasks. This helps to interpret the
language. If the cerebellum is damaged, then the motor neuron function will be damaged
also.
 Medulla: This is the region from where the brain is going to meet with the spinal cord.
This region helps to do the involuntary function. Like, this helps us in breathing, vomiting,
etc.
 Pons: This is the region from where the cranial nerves are produced. Mainly four cranial
nerves are coming out from this region. This region helps with chewing and focuses the
visioning process. This region also belongs to the hindbrain part.

Spinal Cord

The spinal cord is the medium to connect the brain & the body. The nerves that come out from
the body, are going to be inserted in the brain using the spinal cord. Not only that spinal cord,
helps to do some more takes there. The spinal cord helps to maintain the relationship with the
motor neuron. And the Peripheral Nervous System is connected there with the spinal cord.
There are 31 spinal nerves are present. Motor responses come from the body & via the spinal
cord, it goes to the brain.

Functions of the Central Nervous System

 Maintaining Voluntary Response: The central nervous system helps to function the
skeleton muscles. If there is a need to move from any location, the Central Nervous System
provides a certain response to the skeleton muscles. As a result, the skeleton muscles start
moving. And anybody can change the location. Similarly, if we want to take some food, so
it helps to move the hand in such a way that a piece of food is put in the mouth. So all the
voluntary responses is being controlled by the Central Nervous System.
 Maintaining Involuntary Response: Like the voluntary response of the body, the central
nervous system also helps to maintain the involuntary function of the body. Involuntary
function means breathing, vomiting, heartbeat, etc. All these functions are regulated with
the help of the Central Nervous System. This nervous system helps to monitor involuntary
actions.
 Providing Sense To Body: Central Nervous System helps to provide sense to the body.
The human body’s sense depends upon some special inputs. Like, touch, smell, vision, etc.
All these powers are provided by the Central Nervous System. The nerves that help to take
the smell, touch, and vision are coming out from the Central Nervous System. So, the
Central Nervous System gets the response from those organs & provides them with
necessary commands by decoding the messages.
 Helps In Reflex Action: The Central Nervous System helps to regulate the reflex action of
the body. The reflex action is controlled by the spinal cord in the body. It is the sudden
action of the body by which the body can do any spontaneous task. If the body is feeling
hot from the fire, then the body will promptly remove the hand from the fire. This is the
reflex action controlled by the spinal cord.
 Controlling Of Emotion: The brain in the Central Nervous System helps to control several
emotions in the body. Like, laughter, sadness, and sorrow & many other emotions are
controlled by the Central Nervous System. Along with that, the Central Nervous System is
used to memorize things. The brain helps a lot in this case. Also, some other emotions like
hunger and thirst are controlled by the brain under Central Nervous System.

Other Parts of the Central Nervous System:

Along with the brain & spinal cord, some other parts are also present in the Central Nervous
System. Though they are not considered a structure, their influence on the Central Nervous
System is unbelievable. They might be a cell but their function is very large.
 White & Gray Matter: White & Gray matter are two types of tissue present in the Central
Nervous System. The outer layer of the brain is made of gray matter & the inner layer of
the brain is made of white matter. In the white matter, there are the axons are present in the
neuron cells. In the gray matter, the rest of the part of the neuron will be situated.
 Glial Cells: These are the cells present in the Central Nervous System. These cells provide
support to the neurons of the Central Nervous System. In absence of these cells, the
neurons might lose their ability to transfer electrical signals. It helps to repair the neurons if
needed. The Peripheral Nervous System also has glial cells.
 Cranial & Spinal Nerve: These are the nerve production areas that go inside the human
body. The Cranial nerves are those that are coming out from the brain. There are 12 cranial
nerves are present. They come out from the holes in the skull & move to a certain area of
the body. There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves are present. They join with the peripheral
Nervous System & make a completely complex neural network in the body.