What is the nervous system?

nervous system guides almost everything you do,

think, say or feel. It controls complicated processes like movement, thought and
memory. It also plays an essential role in the things your body does without
thinking, such as breathing, blushing and blinking.

The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of the brain and spinal cord. It is one of 2 parts
of the nervous system. The other part is the peripheral nervous system, which consists of
nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. The central nervous
system is the body's processing centre.

The central nervous system (CNS) is comprised of the brain

and spinal cord. The three broad functions of the CNS are to
 take in sensory information, process information, and send out motor signals

What are functions of nervous system?

Your nervous system is your body's command center. Originating from your brain, it
controls your movements, thoughts and automatic responses to the world around you. It
also controls other body systems and processes, such as digestion, breathing and
sexual development (puberty)

What are the parts of the nervous system?

The nervous system has two main parts. Each part contains billions of cells called neurons, or
nerve cells. These special cells send and receive electrical signals through your body to tell it
what to do.

The main parts of the nervous system are:

Central nervous system (CNS): Your brain and spinal cord make up your CNS. Your brain
uses your nerves to send messages to the rest of your body. Each nerve has a protective outer
layer called myelin. Myelin insulates the nerve and helps the messages get through.

Peripheral nervous system: Your peripheral nervous system consists of many nerves that
branch out from your CNS all over your body. This system relays information from your brain
and spinal cord to your organs, arms, legs, fingers and toes. Your peripheral nervous system
contains your:

 Somatic nervous system, which guides your voluntary movements.

 Autonomic nervous system, which controls the activities you do without thinking
about them.
The peripheral nervous system consists of the nerves that branch out
from the brain and spinal cord. These nerves form the communication
network between the CNS and the body parts. The peripheral nervous
system is further subdivided into the somatic nervous system and the
autonomic nervous system.

peripheral Nervous System Definition

“Peripheral nervous system  involves the parts of the nervous system outside the
brain and the spinal cord.”

Peripheral Nervous System

The peripheral nervous system has two divisions:

 Somatic Nervous System
 Autonomic Nervous System

Somatic Nervous System

The main function of the somatic nervous system is to transfer impulses from CNS to skeletal
muscles.

It consists of

 Cranial Nerves
 Spinal Nerves
Cranial nerves are 12 pairs and they emerge from the brain. Some of the examples of cranial
nerves are optic, olfactory, etc.

Spinal nerves have their point of emergence as the spinal cord. There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves.
They emerge from the spinal cords into dorsal and ventral roots. At the junction of these two roots,
the sensory fibres continue into the dorsal root and the motor fibres into the ventral root.

Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system relays impulses from the central nervous system to the involuntary
organs and smooth muscles of the body.

It is divided into two parts –

 Sympathetic Nervous System
 Parasympathetic Nervous System
The sympathetic nervous system consists of nerves arising from the spinal cord between the neck
and waist region. It prepares the body for violent actions against abnormal conditions and is
generally stimulated by adrenaline.

The parasympathetic nervous system is located anterior in the head and neck and posterior in the
sacral region. It is mainly involved in the re-establishment of normal conditions when violent action
is over.

Peripheral Nervous System Functions

Following are the important functions of the peripheral nervous system:

1. The peripheral nervous system connects the brain and the spinal cord to the rest of the body
and the external environment.
2. It regulates internal homeostasis.
3. It can regulate the strength of muscle contractility.
4. It controls the release of secretions from most exocrine glands.