[Link].
co
[Link]
Human Nervous system
INTRODUCTION
Coordination is a process in which two or more organs interact and perform functions in a
synchronized manner. The neural system is a well-organized network which establishes
point to point connections between the organs. This system ensures quick coordination
and response to any physical activity that involves various organs to function
simultaneously. The system comprises of specialized cells called neurons. The neural
system works well with human brain due to the presence of connection ducts (ganglia and
neurons).
HUMAN NEURAL SYSTEM
The neural system of humans is divided into two parts-
1. Central Nervous System (CNS)
2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
CNS
It is the central processing unit of the human brain. Brain, spinal cord and information
processing site comes under the central nervous system.
Brain
The brain is one of the important, largest and central organ of the human nervous system. It is
the control unit of the nervous system, which helps us in discovering new things, remembering
and understanding, making decisions, and a lot more. It is enclosed within the skull, which
provides frontal, lateral and dorsal protection. The human brain is composed of three major
parts:
1. Forebrain: The anterior part of the brain, consists of Cerebrum, Hypothalamus and
Thalamus.
2. Midbrain: The smaller and central part of the brainstem, consists of Tectum and
Tegmentum.
3. Hindbrain: The central region of the brain, composed of Cerebellum, Medulla and Pons.
Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is a cylindrical bundle of nerve fibers and associated tissues enclosed within the
spine and connect all parts of the body to the brain. It begins in continuation with the medulla
and extends downwards. It is enclosed in a bony cage called vertebral column and surrounded
by membranes called meninges. The spinal cord is concerned with spinal reflex actions and the
conduction of nerve impulses to and from the brain.
[Link]
Nerve fibres can be studied under two heads-
• Afferent fibres- are used to transmit impulses from organs to the central nervous
system.
• Efferent fibres- are used to transmit regulatory impulses from the central nervous
system to organs/tissues.
PNS
This nervous system connects the central nervous system to different limbs and organs.
The connection ducts are nerves and ganglia, which forms a network outside the brain and
spinal cord. PNS has no protecting membrane which leaves it open for injuries. The
peripheral nervous system is further studies under two heads-
[Link]
• The autonomic nervous system which covers glands and some internal organs.
• The somatic nervous system covers voluntary muscles and five sensory organs.
The autonomic nervous system is further divided into Parasympathetic (PNS) and
Sympathetic nervous system (SNS). The difference between sympathetic (SNS) and
parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is tabulated below-
Sympathetic Nervous Parasympathetic Nervous
System System
[Link] Type Involuntary Involuntary
Two (preganglionic are
2. Number of neurons Two (preganglionic longer
shorter than
involved per message than postganglionic)
postganglionic)
Thoracolumbar spinal
3. Motor fibre’s location nerves Sacral spinal nerves
4. Neurotransmitters Norepinephrine Acetylcholine
Smooth and cardiac
5. Effector molecules Smooth and cardiac muscles
muscles
PNS includes two types of nerve fibers:
• Afferent fibres- are used to transmit impulses from organs to the central nervous
system.
• Efferent fibres- are used to transmit regulatory impulses from the central nervous
system to organs/tissues.
Neuron
A Neuron is a structured and functional unit of the nervous system and unlike other cells,
neurons are irregular in shape and able to conduct electrochemical signals. The different parts
of a neuron are discussed below.
• Dendrite stretches out from the cell body of a neuron, and it is the shortest fibre in the
cell body.
• Axon is the longest thread on the cell body of a neuron and has an insulating and
protective sheath of myelin around it.
• Cell body consists of cytoplasm and nucleus.
• Synapse is the microscopic gap between a pair of adjacent neurons over which nerve
impulses pass, when moving from one neuron to the other.
[Link]
REFLEX ACTION
It is an involuntary, unplanned, sequence of action and nearly instantaneous movement in
response to a stimulus. A reflex is made possible by neural pathways called reflex arcs which can
act on an impulse before that impulse reaches the brain. The reflex is then an automatic
response to a stimulus that does not receive or need conscious thought.
SENSE ORGANS
Sense relates to any of the systems and corresponding organs involved in sensation, i.e
the physical process of responding to stimuli and providing data for perception.
Humans have various sensory organs (i.e eyes, ears, skin, nose, and mouth)