The Nervous System
The Nervous System and How it Communicates
Everything you do, know, perceive, think and feel is a function of your nervous system. Your
nervous system has two parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous
system (image below). In your nervous system you have nerves and neurons, which
essentially transmit information back and forth and all over. The central nervous
system (CNS) is "central" because it combines information of the entire body and turns it into
information. Nerves extend from the CNS to the outermost areas of the body and connect
with the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The primary role of the PNS is to connect the
CNS to the organs, limbs, and skin.
The peripheral system allows the brain and spinal cord to receive and send information to
other areas of the body, which allows us to react to stimuli in our environment. All this
information is sent through the neuron, nerve impulses, and neurotransmitters!
Central Nervous System
The central nervous system (CNS) is the largest part of the nervous system. It includes the
brain and the spinal cord. The brain is protected within the bony skull. The spinal cord is
protected within the bones of the spine, which are called vertebrae. The entire CNS is
surrounded by protective coverings called meninges.
, Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is a long, fragile tubelike structure that begins at the end of the brain stem
and continues down almost to the bottom of the spine. The spinal cord consists of bundles
of nerve axons forming pathways that carry incoming and outgoing messages (signals)
between the brain and the rest of the body.
The Nervous System and How it Communicates
Everything you do, know, perceive, think and feel is a function of your nervous system. Your
nervous system has two parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous
system (image below). In your nervous system you have nerves and neurons, which
essentially transmit information back and forth and all over. The central nervous
system (CNS) is "central" because it combines information of the entire body and turns it into
information. Nerves extend from the CNS to the outermost areas of the body and connect
with the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The primary role of the PNS is to connect the
CNS to the organs, limbs, and skin.
The peripheral system allows the brain and spinal cord to receive and send information to
other areas of the body, which allows us to react to stimuli in our environment. All this
information is sent through the neuron, nerve impulses, and neurotransmitters!
Central Nervous System
The central nervous system (CNS) is the largest part of the nervous system. It includes the
brain and the spinal cord. The brain is protected within the bony skull. The spinal cord is
protected within the bones of the spine, which are called vertebrae. The entire CNS is
surrounded by protective coverings called meninges.
, Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is a long, fragile tubelike structure that begins at the end of the brain stem
and continues down almost to the bottom of the spine. The spinal cord consists of bundles
of nerve axons forming pathways that carry incoming and outgoing messages (signals)
between the brain and the rest of the body.
