Nervous System

• Central Nervous System (CNS):

  • Main processing center for the entire nervous system
  • Includes the brain and spinal cord
• Brain:

  • Organ located within the skull
  • Functions as an organizer and distributor of information for the body
• Cerebrum:

  • Large, upper part of the brain that controls activity and thought
• Cerebellum:

  • Part under the cerebrum that controls posture, balance, and coordination
• Brain Stem:

  • Connects the brain to the spinal cord
  • Controls automatic functions such as breathing, digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure
• Spinal Cord:

  • Channel for signals between the brain and the rest of the body
  • Controls simple musculoskeletal reflexes without input from the brain
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS):

  • Connects the central nervous system to the organs and limbs
• Somatic Nervous System:

  • Associated with the voluntary control of body movement
• Spinal Nerves:

  • Nerves that carry motor and sensory signals between the spinal cord and the body
• 
  

  Parasympathetic - it maintains body functions and restores the

  body to normal or relaxed mode.
• 
  

  Sympathetic - it is activated when the body is in a dynamic role or stress. (e.g., increased heart rate and breathing, dilation of pupil, sweating, etc.)
• Autonomic Nervous System

  This system is associated with the involuntary control of body

  movements
• Cranial Nerves - the nerve fibers that carry information into and out of the brain stem