NERVOUS SYSTEM
The nervous system is like the body’s personal messaging network. It takes in information from the world around us, sends signals to our brain, and tells our body how to respond. Whether you’re moving your hand, feeling pain, or just thinking a thought — it’s all thanks to this fast, complex system working behind the scenes.
ORGANISATION
1
Anatomicaly
Central
Peripheral
The nervous system is divided in various ways depending on whether you are looking at its structure or its function.
Functionaly
2
Spinal cord
Brain
Somatic
Autonomic
Parasympathetic
Brain
The brain is the body’s control centre; even though it only makes up about 2% of our weight, it runs the whole show. Soft and jelly-like, it’s packed with billions of nerve connections that keep everything linked. It controls the body’s functions; on top of that, it’s where our thoughts, memories, emotions, and personality come from.
CENTRAL
Neurons
Nerves
The central nervous system is the control centre of the body. It processes information and sends out instructions to the rest of the body.
Spinal cord
The spinal cord is connected to the brain and runs the length of the body. It is protected by the bones of the spine (vertebrae). Nerves branch off from the spinal cord into the arms, legs and torso.
PERIPHERAL
This includes all the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It connects the central nervous system to the rest of the body, carrying messages back and forth.
Neurons
Neurons are the body’s messengers. They send and receive electrical signals that control everything from our heartbeat to our thoughts. Every time we move, feel, or react, neurons are involved.
Nerves
Nerves are bundles of the neurons. They are like cables that carry messages between our brain, spinal cord, and the rest of our body.
SOMATIC
Controls voluntary movements such as walking, grabbing, or talking, and also relays sensory information from the body to the brain.
It’s made up of nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the muscles. When we decide to move, our brain sends a signal through these nerves to the muscles, telling them what to do.
AUTONOMIC
The autonomic nervous system controls everything the body does automatically, without us having to think about it — like breathing, digestion, heart rate, and body temperature. It keeps things running smoothly in the background, whether we're awake, asleep, relaxed, or stressed.
Sympathetic
This is our "fight or flight" system. It kicks in when we're stressed, scared, or in danger, helping our body react quickly. It speeds up the heart rate, widens the airways to help us breathe more easily, slows down digestion so the energy goes to the muscles, and releases adrenaline to prepare for action.
Parasympathetic
This is our "rest and digest" system. It helps us calm down and recover after stress or activity. It slows the heart rate, stimulates digestion, and promotes relaxation and energy recovery.
Sympathetic
It also includes sensory nerves that carry information from our skin, muscles, and joints back to your brain — so we can feel things like pressure, pain, temperature, or the position of our body.
Name
Nervous system
Consist of
Brain | Spinal cord | Nerves network
Main function
Receives, processes, and sends signals throughout the body, allowing us to sense, move, think, and respond to the world around us
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