Nervous System

Nervous System

Complex network of nerves & cells. Carries messages from and to the brain. Controls the organ system and regulates hormone activities & functions. Maintains stability of organs and homeostasis.

Central Nervous System

The control center/main processing center.

Brain

The “central processor”. Distributor and organizer of info. Uses 26% of energy, but only uses 2% of weight. The body’s complex organ.

Spinal Cord

The “channel of signals”. This transmits signals within the brain and body. It is protected by the

vertebral column.

Cerebrum

Large, upper part of the brain. Controls activity, thoughts, and memory.

Cerebral complex

The outer part of the cerebrum, the grey and white matter.

Parietal lobe

Processes touch, pressure, pain, and spatial orientation.

Frontal lobe

Controls reasoning, planning, movement, emotions, and problem-solving.

Temporal lobe

Handles hearing, memory, and language comprehension.

Occipital lobe

Responsible for visual processing.

Brain stem

This connects the brain to the spinal cord. Controls autonomic functions (breathing, digestion, heart rate and blood pressure.)

Midbrain

This part of the brain stem controls reflexes, eye

movement, and auditory processing.

Pons

This part of the brain stem regulates

breathing and sleep cycles.

Medulla Oblongata

This part of the brain stem manages heart rate,

breathing, and blood pressure.

Diencephalon

Found at the center of the brain and above the the central hemispheres

Hypothalamus

This part of Diencephalon is a gland located on the lower part of the brain; Regulates hunger, thirst, temperature, and hormones.

Thalamus

This part of Diencephalon relays sensory information to the cerebral cortex.

Epithalamus

This part of Diencephalon is involved in sleep-wake cycles through melatonin production.

Limbic System

The "emotional brain," it controls emotions and memory.

Amygdala

This part of the Limbic System manages emotions like fear and pleasure.

Hippocampus

This part of the Limbic System is essential for memory formation and learning.

Peripheral Nervous System

It connects the CNS to limbs and organs, serving as a communication relay. It is referred to as the sidelines.

Somatic NS

Voluntary control of the body movements.

Spinal Nerves

This part of the Somatic NS are the nerves that carry motor and sensory signals between the spinal cord and the body.

Cranial Nerves

This part of the Somatic NS are the nerve fibers

that carry information into and out of the brain stem.

Autonomic NS

Involuntary control of the body movements.

Sympathetic

This part of the Autonomic NS is activated when the body is in dynamic role or stress.

Parasympathetic

This part of the Autonomic NS maintains body functions and restores the body to normal or relaxed mode.

Neuroendocrine System

The nervous and endocrine system allow communication among different organs to keep the body in a state of balance for growth, development, reproduction and survival.