Nervous System and Endocrine System

Functions
1. Coordinates and controls the workings of the components of
the body (Control center for all body activities)
2. Like a communication network that transmits information by
electrical signals called neurons or nerve cells
3. Responds and adapts to changes that occur both inside and
outside the body
(Ex: pain, temperature, pregnancy)
Neurons - basic cell of the NS that carries impulses or action
potential from one part to another
3 Parts:
1. Cell Body (Soma) – controls the growth of the nerve cell
2. Dendrites- short-branched fibers that carry impulses towards
the cell body
3. Axon- long, thin fibers that carry messages away from the cell
body
General Organization of the Nervous System
 Central Nervous System
Consists of the brain and spinal cord
Where interneurons receive and pass on messages
brain – control center
spinal cord – relays sensory and motor information to and
from the brain to other parts of the body
Organs of the nervous
system can be divided
into two groups:

The central
nervous system
(CNS) is composed
of the brain and
spinal cord. These
neurons cannot
regenerate if
damaged.
Brain – moist and spongy
consists of 10 B neurons
controls everything a person does
produces wave of electrical impulses that differ in length and
frequency
Brain Protection
1. skull
2. meninges
3. cerebrospinal fluid
 Parts of the Brain
1. Cerebrum- large upper region
controls activity and thought
has 2 sides: left and right hemispheres
2. Cerebellum-beneath the back of the cerebrum
coordinates muscle movement
3.Brain stem-below the cerebellum at the base of the skull
controls heart beat, breathing and blood pressure
Medulla-controls breathing , heart beat and swallowing
Pons-regulates breathing and controls eye movement
Midbrain-eye movement
Thalamus-smaller part of the brain that process info from sense
organs
the relay station of senses
Hypothalamus-regulates body temperature, use of water, blood
pressure and release of chemicals
 Spinal Cord
Rod of tissue that runs down and back to the brain
Protected by the spinal column and with 3 meninges and
cerebrospinal fluid
 Peripheral Nervous System
Made up of cranial and spinal nerves
Spinal nerves-carry motor and sensory signals
Cranial nerves-carry info into and out of the brain stem
Connects the CNS to the organs and limbs
Divisions:
1.Somatic NS-responsible for the actions that a person can
control
controls voluntary movements
2.Autonomic NS-controls involuntary responses
Ex. Muscle movement to digest food, heartbeat, breathing
a. Sympathetic- prepares the body for action and stress; fight or
flight
Ex. Inc heart rate and breathing, sweating
b. Parasympathetic-helps the body conserve E;
restores the body to normal or relaxed mode
Ex. Rest ; digest
• The peripheral
nervous system
(PNS) is made up
of peripheral
nerves that
connect the CNS
to the rest of the
body. These
neurons can
regenerate if
damaged.
• 31 pairs of spinal
nerves
• 12 pairs of cranial
nerves
• PNS can be
subdivided into 2
divisions:
• (1) Autonomic
– Cranial & spinal
nerves connecting
CNS to heart,
stomach,
intestines, glands
– Controls
unconscious
activities
• (2) Somatic
– Cranial & spinal nerves connecting CNS to
skin & skeletal muscles
– Oversees conscious activities
Organization of Nervous
System

Nervous System

Central Nervous Peripheral Nervous

System System
Brain & spinal cord

Autonomic N.S. Somatic N.S.

 Peripheral Nervous System
• Autonomic division of the nervous system
can be subdivided into 2 divisions:
• (1) Parasympathetic
– Decreases heart rate, bronchiole dilation, blood
glucose, blood to skeletal muscle
– Increases digestion, pupil size, urinary output
– “rest and digest”
• (2) Sympathetic
– Decreases digestion, pupil size, urinary output
– Increases heart rate, bronchiole dilation, blood
glucose, blood to skeletal muscle
– “fight or flight”
 Disorders of the NS
1. Meningitis- inflammation of the meninges caused by bacterial
infection or virus
2. Cerebral Palsy- lack of full control of physical movement and
muscle tightness of limbs or mouth
3. Parkinson’s Disease-affects the movement of a person
4. Brain tumor-meninges tumor
5. Epilepsy-cluster of nerve cells or neurons act abnormally
characterized by strange emotions, convulsions and muscle
spasms
6. Alzheimer’s Disease
A gradual shrinking of the neurons in the cerebrum
Symptoms: memory loss, emotional disturbances, inability to
function on own, death
 Diseases / Disorders of the Endocrine System
Hypothyroidism – the thyroid gland cannot produce the normal
amount of thyroid hormone
Hyperthyroidism – over secretion of thyroid hormone
Cushing’s Syndrome – the tumor in the pituitary gland causes the
adrenal gland to produce too much stress hormone called cortisol
Metabolic Syndrome – aka insulin resistance ; the patient has
elevated insulin level and abdominal obesity
Estrogen Deficiency – affects female due to a drop in estrogen
levels
Testosterone Deficiency – a low level of testosterone due to
pituitary, adrenal or ovary/ testis problem
Gigantism or Acromegaly – a disease in the pituitary gland that
produces too much growth hormones; opposite of Dwarfism