Divisions of the nervous system and neural pathways

• The nervous system analyses sensory information from the body and the external environment, stores some aspects and makes decisions regarding appropriate responses and behaviours. It makes motor responses by

  initiating muscular contractions or glandular secretions.
• Central Nervous System (CNS)

  • The brain
  • The Spinal Cord
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

  • Somatic nervous system (SNS)
  • Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

  • Somatic nervous system (SNS)

  - Consists of sensory and motor neurons.

  - Controls voluntary skeletal muscles.
• Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

  Consists of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

  Controls involuntary muscles and glands.