HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Dr. V. Srinivasa rao
Assoc. Professor, Department of Pharmacology
HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Unit III: NERVOUS SYSTEM
Topic: Definition and Classification of Nervous system
Class no :01
Dr. V. Srinivasa rao
Assoc. Professor, Department of Pharmacology
HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Nervous system
Nervous system is appropriately the master system which apart fro maintaining homeostasis
also controls the emotions, taught, actions, perceptions, behavior, movements and other
aspects of the human body.
Major function: Regulate and maintain homeostasis i.e maintain physiological processes
within normal limits.
To achieve this nervous system is supported by endocrine system.
The nervous system produces instantaneous response while endocrine system bring about
delayed response.
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Organization of the Nervous System:
The nervous system coordinates voluntary and involuntary actions in the
body by sending and receiving information.
The nervous system is comprised of an enormous number of cells (over 100
billion), primarily of two types: neurons (the signaling units) and glial cells
(the supporting units).
The neuron is the functional unit of the nervous system and is designed to
transmit information between cells.
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The nervous system can rst be divided into two major parts: the central
nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS consists of neurons associated with central processing and which are
located in the brain and spinal cord.
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) consists of neurons associated with
sensory input (a erent) and motor output (e erent), and functions to connect
the central nervous system to all other parts of the body.
HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Stated another way, if the entire structure of the neuron is contained within the
brain and/or spinal cord, the neuron would be considered part of the CNS.
In contrast, if any part of the neuronal structure is located outside of the brain
and/or spinal cord the neuron would be considered part of the PNS
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Information is transmitted between these two systems following this basic
pattern: stimulus, receptor, a erent pathway (input signal), control center, e
erent pathway (output signal), e ector, and response.
In other words, sensory receptors located throughout the body constantly
monitor the conditions of the environment and send this information via the
PNS to the CNS for central processing.
If a response is needed (i.e., to maintain homeostasis) the CNS will send new
information through the PNS to target organs that will help adjust to the
initial stimulus.
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It should be noted that some functions can be contained entirely within the
CNS; for example, dreaming, thinking, or even information storage.
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Neurons of the e efferent division of the PNS can be further subdivided into
the somatic nervous system, which controls the voluntary movement of
skeletal muscle
Autonomic nervous system which regulates involuntary functions of organs
and tissues. Autonomic neurons are further subdivided into sympathetic and
parasympathetic systems.
A third division of the PNS is a semi-independent nervous system called the
enteric nervous system which controls the gastrointestinal tract .
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This system is considered semi-independent because it can run independently,
or through modulation by the autonomic nervous system.
It is also interesting to note that the enteric nervous system contains more
neurons than the entire spinal cord.
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HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
THANK YOU
Dr.V. SRINIVASA RAO
Assoc Professor, Department of Pharmacology
Srinivasarao.v@[Link]