The Nervous System

The Nervous System:

- The master controlling and communicating system of the body
- Cells communicate via electrical and chemical signals

Functions of the Nervous System:
Sensory System:
- Information is gathered by sensory receptors about internal and external
changes.
Integration:
- Process and interprets sensory input.
Motor Input:
- Activation of effector organs.


























The Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Made up of the brain and spinal cord
- Integrative and control centres
- Interprets sensory input and then dictates motor output.

The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
- The portion outside the CNS
- Consists of mainly nerves
- Spinal nerves to a from the spinal cord
- Cranial nerves to and from the brain

The two functional divisions:
- Sensory (afferent) Division is made up of:
Somatic sensory fibers impulses from skin, skeletal muscles
and joints to the CNS
Visceral sensory fibers impulses from visceral organs to the
CNS
- Motor (efferent) division transmits impulses from the CNS to effector organs
- And is made up of the:
Somatic Nervous system: Conscious control of skeletal muscles
and voluntary nervous system
Autonomic nervous system: Visceral motor nerve fibers,
regulates smooth muscles, glands and cardiac muscle,
involuntary nervous system,

Further Sub-divisions of the Motor System:
- Sympathetic: Fight or flight response, modilises the body during activity and
extreme situations
- Parasympathetic: Rest and digest, performs maintenance activities and
preserves energy
- Counterbalance each other
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Histology of Nervous Tissue