The Nervos System

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THE NERVOUS SYSTEM The nervous system regulates and coordinates the activities of all the other of the body. It enables the body to adjust to changes that occur within it and in its surroundings. The nervous system is made up of countless nerve cells, or neurons. The neurons form a communications network that extends to every part of the body. The nervous system has three main divisions.

They are (1) the central nervous system; (2) the peripheral nervous system, which includes the eyes, ears, nose and other sense organs; (3) the autonomic nervous system.

Organs within in the system include the brain which is an enormously complicated collection of billions of neurons. These neurons are linked together in precise patterns that enable the brain to think and remember. The Spinal cord, Spinal nerve (31 pairs), Radial nerves, Median nerves, Ulnar nerve, Femoral nerve and Sciatic nerve make up the nervous system. The nervous system relates to the other systems by being the control center of the body.

The central nervous system makes some simple decisions within the spinal cord, such as directing the hand to pull away from a hot object. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord.

The peripheral nervous system is made up of nerves that connect the central nervous system with every part of the body. The motor neurons of the peripheral nervous system carry the instructions from the central nervous system to the appropriate tissues.

The autonomic nervous system carries messages from the subconscious level of the brain to the internal organs. The autonomic nervous system regulates the automatic function of the body, such as the beating of the heart and the movement of food through the digestive system.