Roles of Different Subdivisions of the Nervous System

Flashcards for reviewing the roles and structures of the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Comprises the brain and spinal cord; processes information from internal and external environments and activates responses.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Entire network of nerves outside the CNS, carries information to and from the body’s muscles, organs, and glands.

Somatic Nervous System

Part of the PNS that carries sensory information to the CNS and motor information from the CNS to muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System

Part of the PNS responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions, connected to internal organs.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for vigorous activity or stress (fight or flight).

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Subdivision of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body and maintains normal bodily functions.

Enteric Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that controls the gastrointestinal system and communicates with the CNS.

Spinal Reflexes

Automatic, involuntary responses to stimuli mediated by the spinal cord without direct involvement of the brain.

Afferent Pathway

Pathway that carries sensory information from the body to the CNS.

Efferent Pathway

Pathway that transmits motor information from the CNS to the body.

Primary Somatosensory Cortex

Area of the brain that processes sensory information from receptors in the skin.

Prefrontal Cortex

Region of the frontal lobe involved in processing visual information and planning movements.

Basal Ganglia

Structures at the base of the forebrain involved in the control of voluntary motor movements.