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Organization of
Nervous System
Have you heard the expression
“Information is power?”
Nowhere is this truer than in
the human body. Without
information, we could not
survive.
Neurons within our nervous system must take in sensory information from the outside world and then decide what to do with the information.
The Nervous System is the body’s main
processing system for information.
This consists of structures and organs that
facilitate electrical and chemical
communication in the body
Functions of the Nervous System
1. Sensory input – gathering information
- To monitor changes occurring inside and outside the body
- Changes = are called stimuli
2. Integration
- N.S. is able to integrate this information
- Process and interpret sensory input and decide if action is needed
The Nervous System
- Components
- Brain, spinal cord, nerves, sensory receptors
- Responsible for
- Sensory perceptions, mental activities, stimulating muscle movements, secretions of many glands
- Subdivisions
- Central nervous system (CNS)
- Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
Central Nervous System
- Consists of
- Brain
- Located in cranial vault of skull
- Spinal cord
- Located in vertebral canal
- Brain and spinal cord - Continuous with each other at foramen magnum
Peripheral Nervous System
- Two subcategories
- Sensory or afferent
- Motor or efferent
- Divisions
- Somatic nervous system
- Autonomic nervous system (ANS) » Sympathetic » Parasympathetic » Enteric
Nervous System Organization
Figure 7. Functional Classification of the PNS
- Motor (efferent) division
- Nerve fibers that carry impulses away from the central nervous system
- Activate (effect) muscles or glands to bring about a response.
Functional Classification of the PNS
- Motor (efferent) = 2 division
- Somatic nervous system = voluntary (skeletal muscles)
- Autonomic nervous system = involuntary (smooth and cardiac muscles, glands)
Nervous Tissue
- Comprise of 2 types of cells
- Neuroglia = supporting cells
- The insulators, adhesive, protectors and nourishers
- Neurons = nerve cells that transmit impulses
11 - 17 Cells of Nervous System
- Neurons or nerve cells - Receive stimuli and transmit action potentials - Organization - Cell body or soma - Dendrites: Input - Axons: Output
- Neuroglia or glial cells - Support and protect neurons
Nervous Tissue: Support Cells
- Microglia
- Spider-like phagocytes
- Dispose of debris
- Ependymal cells
- Line cavities of the brain and spinal cord
- Circulate cerebrospinal fluid
Nervous Tissue: Support Cells
- Oligodendrocytes
- Produce myelin sheath around nerve fibers in the central nervous system