Anatomy of the Nervous System

What does the central nervous system (CNS) include?

BRAIN & SPINAL CORD

What does the peripheral nervous system (PNS) do?

Connects CNS to rest of body; carries signals to and from muscles, glands, and organs

What are the main parts of the PNS?

Cranial nerves, spinal nerves, & autonomic nervous system

What are cranial nerves?

12 pairs of nerves connecting brain to areas like: heart, lungs, & face for sensation & motor control

What are spinal nerves?

31 pairs of nerves that connect spinal cord to body parts (arms, legs, torso); each nerve has sensory and motor parts

What protects the brain & spinal chord?

Skull, meninges, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), & strong blood supply

What are 3 layers of the meninges?

Dura mater (outer, tough), arachnoid (middle, web-like), pia mater (inner, thin)

What does CSF do?

Cushions & floats the brain to protect from damage

What does the medulla control?

breathing, heart rate, & blood pressure; damage is often fatal

What does the cerebellum control?

Balance, coordination, & some speech/emotional regulation

What does the hypothalamus do?

Controls: temperature, hunger, sex drive, & directs the autonomic system

What are the 4 lobes of the brain & their functions?

Frontal: thinking, decision-making, problem-solving

Parietal: touch & sensory processing

Temporal: speech & language

Occipital: vision

What are the 3 parts of the autonomic nervous system?

Sympathetic: fight or flight (uses energy)

Parasympathetic: rest and digest (calms body)

Enteric: controls digestion