NERVOUS SYSTEM
Introduction to Nervous System
Nervous system is the chief controlling and
coordinating system of the body.
Itcontrols and regulates all voluntary and
involuntary activities of human body.
There are three characteristic properties of
nervous system of human
body: Sensitivity,
Conductivity and Responsiveness
The structural and functional unit of
Divisions of Nervous System
[Link] NERVOUS SYSTEM
(CNS) : Central nervous system
includes brain and spinal cord.
[Link] NERVOUS SYSTEM
(PNS) : Peripheral nervous system
includes all the parts of nervous system
except brain and spinal cord. It is further
divided into two components; Somatic
nervous system and Autonomic nervous
system.
Components of Nervous System
Brain
The brain is one of the most complex and magnificent
organs in the human body.
It gives us awareness of ourselves and of our
environment, processing a constant stream of sensory
data.
It controls our muscle movements, the secretions of
our glands, and even our breathing and internal
temperature.
Every creative thought, feeling, and plan is developed
by our brain.
The brain’s neurons record the memory of every event
in our lives.
Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is a major component of the
central nervous system (CNS) that forms the
vital link between the brain and most of the
body.
Its31 spinal segments connect the CNS to
the organs and tissues of the neck, torso,
and limbs.
The spinal cord also performs important
processing functions to maintain balance
and respond quickly to stimuli.
Nerves
Nerves are bundles of axons in the peripheral nervous
system (PNS) that act as information highways to carry
signals between the brain and spinal cord and the rest
of the body.
Each axon is wrapped in a connective tissue sheath
called the endoneurium. Individual axons of the nerve
are bundled into groups of axons called fascicles,
wrapped in a sheath of connective tissue called the
perineurium.
Many fascicles are wrapped together in another layer
of connective tissue called the epineurium to form a
whole nerve. The wrapping of nerves with connective
Functions of Nervous System
CONTROL OF ALL BODY FUNCTIONS: Nervous system
is the master system of human body. It controls the
activity of all other systems in such a way that all the
systems collectively make a human being. Without a
controlling system, there is no concept of life because in
such case there will be no coordination between different
body functions and they will all act separately. Nervous
system not only controls the voluntary functions of human
body that are directed by human will, but it also controls
those functions that are below the level of consciousness
of human beings. Control of a function means that the
intensity of that function can be increase or decreased
according to the demands of human body.
COORDINATION OF DIFFERENT BODY
ORGANS: Nervous system not only produces
coordination between different systems, but also
between different organs of a system. To form an
organ system, role of the component organs must also
be coordinated. So nervous system is not only
important for formation of an organism by different
organ systems, but also for formation of a system by
different organs of human body.