20.8a Medications Used to Affect the Nervous System

central nervous system

The two major divisions of the nervous system are the (?) and the peripheral nervous system (Figure 20-10).

brain and spinal cord

The central nervous system (CNS) includes the (?); all nerves that originate and terminate within either the brain or the spinal cord are considered central.

peripheral nervous system

The (?) comprises everything else.

somatic nervous system

If a neuron originates within the brain and terminates outside the spinal cord, it is part of the peripheral nervous system, which, in turn, consists of the (?) and the autonomic nervous system.

voluntary

The somatic nervous system controls (?), or motor, functions.

sympathetic

The autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary, or automatic, functions, is further divided into the (?) and parasympathetic nervous systems.

autonomic nervous system

The two major groupings of medications used to affect the nervous system are those that affect the CNS and those that affect the (?).

CNS

Many pathologic conditions involve the (?).

analgesics

As a result, a great number of medications have been developed to affect the CNS, including (?), anesthetics, medications to treat anxiety and insomnia, anticonvulsants, stimulants, psychotherapeutic agents (antidepressants and antimanic agents), and medications used to treat specific nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.

broad classification

Obviously, this is a very (?) with many different types of agents.

basic physiology

Having a firm grasp on the (?) involved will help you to understand the various medications you encounter.