Nervous system

• Central Nervous System (CNS) serves as the main processing center for the entire nervous system
• CNS consists of two main components:

  • Brain: organ located within the skull that functions as 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: part that connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls automatic functions such as breathing, digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure
• • Spinal Cord: serves as a channel for signals between the brain and the rest of the body, and controls simple musculoskeletal reflexes without input from the brain
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) connects the central nervous system to the organs and limbs
• PNS has two main divisions:

  • Somatic Nervous System:
  • Spinal Nerves: nerves that carry motor and sensory signals between the spinal cord and the body
  • Cranial Nerves: nerve fibers that carry information into and out of the brain stem
  • Autonomic Nervous System:
  • Sympathetic: activated when the body is in a dynamic role or stress, leading to increased heart rate and breathing, dilation of pupil, sweating, etc.
  • Parasympathetic: maintains body functions and restores the body to normal or relaxed mode