Neural and Hormonal Systems

nervous system

the body’s speedy, electrochemical communication network, consisting of all the nerve cells of the peripheral and central nervous system

central nervous system (CNS)

the brain and spinal cord; the body’s decision maker

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

the sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body; gathers information and sends it out to other body parts

nerves

bundled axons that form neural cables connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sensory organs

sensory (afferent) neurons

neurons that carry incoming information from the body’s tissues and sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord

motor (efferent) neurons

neurons that carry outgoing information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles and glands

interneurons

neurons within the brain and spinal cord, they communicate internally and process information between the sensory inputs and motor outputs; between the sensory input and motor output, information is processed here

somatic nervous system/skeletal nervous system

the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles.

autonomic nervous system

the part of the peripheral nervous system that control the glands and the muscles of the internal organs (like heart, breathing, digestion); it has 2 subdivisions the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system

sympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that arouses the body, mobilizing its energy; fight or flight; sweating, increased heart rate; higher blood pressure

parasympathetic nervous system

the division of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body, conserving its energy; conserving energy to calm you; “rest and digest”

reflexes

a simple, automatic response to a sensory stimulus, such as the knee jerk reflex