The nervous system is concerned with the integration and control of all body functions.

In my previous page regarding Systems of the Human Body, I promised you, to provide detailed information on all major systems. Certainly, this page is to keep my promise.

The human body is a complex nerve-muscle machine. It is more intricate and works more efficiently than any machine invented by men till now. All functions, including moment, both voluntary or involuntary, and secretion, are under the control of a complicated “telephone” system (the nervous system), complete with exchange, transmitting and receiving lines. These are connected to a complex supercomputer, the brain.

Sub-divisions of the nervous system

Although for descriptive purposes, the nervous system may be subdivided into two parts. It functions as a coordinated whole.

 The nervous system has two major parts

a) Central Nervous System(CNS):

The brain and spinal cord are the main organs of the Central Nervous system. Moreover, it is the control centre of the nervous system, responsible for receiving and processing information from the senses, generating thoughts and emotions, and controlling movement and other bodily functions.

The CNS is a complex and fascinating system essential for human life. Moreover, it is responsible for everything we think, feel, and do.

i) Brain

The brain is the largest and most complex organ in the human body. Further, it is divided into two hemispheres, the left and right brain, connected by a bundle of nerves called the corpus callosum.

Functions of brain

The brain is responsible for a wide range of functions, including:

• Thought and consciousness: The brain is responsible for our ability to think, reason, and be aware of ourselves and our surroundings.
• Sensory processing: The brain receives information from the senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. It processes this information and creates a perception of the world around us.
• Movement: The brain controls our ability to move our muscles. It sends signals to the spinal cord, which then sends signals to the muscles to contract or relax.
• Emotions: The brain is responsible for our ability to feel emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, and fear.
• Language: The brain is responsible for our ability to understand and produce language.

The brain is that part of the CNS which lies within the cavity of the skull. It consists of the following parts;

• 1 The cerebral hemispheres (cerebrum)
• 2 The mid-brain
• 3 The Pons
• 4 The medulla oblongata
• 5 The cerebellum

The brain and the spinal cord are protected by bone (skull and vertebral column) and also by three coverings that are called meninges. These meninges are the dura mater(outer layer), arachnoid mater(middle layer) and pia mater(inner layer).

Between the arachnoid mater and the pia mater is a sub-arachnoid space that contains a fluid. This fluid is called cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) and has several important functions. The dura mater is a tough fibrous membrane that lines the skull. It also encloses the spinal cord in a membranous tube within the neural canal.

Related Page: Complete information about Mental Diseases and Disorders

ii) The Spinal Cord

The spinal cord is part of the central nervous system. It is situated within the vertebral column. Moreover, in the adult, it is 43 cm long and ends at the level of the first lumbar vertebrae. Thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves originate from the first cord and correspond to the segments of the vertebral column.

Functions of the spinal cord

The spinal cord has two functions. Since it consists mainly of nerve fibres its most important role is to transmit the information to the brain from the periphery or vice-versa.

In addition, the spinal cord provides an important defence mechanism that enables emergency action. This action is taken without direct references to the brain. That is why it is called spinal reflex.

b) Peripheral Nervous System(PNS):

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is a vast network of nerves that connects the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body. It is responsible for carrying information between the brain and spinal cord and the muscles, organs, and sensory receptors throughout the body.

The PNS is essential for the body to function properly. It allows us to move our bodies, feel the world around us, and maintain our internal environment.

Below are some of the details of PNS.

• The PNS consists of nerves, which are bundles of nerve fibres.
• Nerves are classified as either sensory nerves, motor nerves, or mixed nerves.
• Sensory nerves carry information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord.
• Motor nerves carry information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles.
• Mixed nerves carry both sensory and motor information.
• The PNS also contains ganglia, which are clusters of nerve cells that are found outside of the brain and spinal cord.

Nerve branches are in the entire body from the spinal cord to all body parts. The function of the nerves is called a Peripheral Nervous System. It includes

• Peripheral nerves
• Cranial nerves
• Spinal nerves
• Neuromuscular junctions.

Major components of the nervous system

There is no function of the body, which is not connected to the nervous system.

1 Neuron

The neuron is the basic unit of the nervous system. They receive sensory input, send motor commands to muscles, and relay electrical signals.

The structural and functional unit of the nervous system is the Neuron i.e. nerve cell.

A single unit of neurons has a nucleus surrounded by cytoplasm.

Dendrites of the neuron(the receptors of nerve impulses) are branches in structure.

One of the dendrites is elongated and is called AXON which imparts the nerve impulses to the dendron of the other neuron cell.

A collection of these many neurons forms the nervous tissue unit, which again unites to form a nerve. 

The substance which is released from the nerve endings is called neurotransmitters.

These neurons have a protection layer called MYELIN SHEATH. Fatty Acids and proteins are required for the synthesis of this myelin sheath.

2 Autonomic nervous system

This system is responsible for involuntary functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and digestion. It is divided into two branches: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

• The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the “fight-or-flight” response, which is a physiological reaction to stress. It increases heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, and it diverts blood flow away from the digestive system and towards the muscles.
• The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the “rest-and-digest” response. It decreases heart rate and blood pressure, and it slows respiration and digestion.

3 Somatic nervous system

This is responsible for voluntary movement. It carries information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles, telling them to contract or relax. The somatic nervous system is also responsible for the sensation, such as touch, pain, temperature, and pressure.

The voluntary component of the peripheral nervous system. It allows us to feel the sensation from the skin and perform voluntary body movements.

Reasons for problems 

The main source of energy for the brain and nervous system is glucose. That is obtained from carbohydrates.

When there lack of nutrition, start impaired functioning of the nervous system and neuromuscular structures resulting in

• Mental confusion
• Diminished brain functioning
• Sensory loss
• Loss of muscular coordination
• Muscular apathy etc

Diseases caused by the lack of nutrition are

• Parkinson’s disease affects movement, often including tremors.
• Alzheimer’s disease affects brain function, memory and behaviour.
• Bell’s palsy is a sudden weakness or paralysis of facial muscles, mainly on one side.
• Epilepsy is a neurological disorder when the brain activities are abnormally causing seizures or periods of unusual activities

Primarily Neuritises are because of metabolic derangement and are mainly confined to carbohydrate metabolism. But, metabolism being a complex chemical process, disturbance in one factor leads to disturbances of the other factors.
Carbohydrates, Protein and fats are not utilized by the body as such. Moreover, Carbohydrate is hydrolyzed into glucose. Proteins into Amino AcidsFats into fatty acids.

Metabolism is the conversion, hydrolyzation and finally utilization of energy, synthesis of amino acids, fatty acids and their utilization for tissue building and tissue repairs.

For these chemical intermediary changes, certain enzymes and co-enzymes are essential.

A Body normally produces enzymes and coenzymes. And food helps to produce co-enzymes. Moreover, the lack of these co-enzymes deranges those metabolic processes resulting in the problem of the nervous system.

Sometimes, because of poison, drug toxicity and certain other factors lead to the depletion of these co-enzymes also resulting above changes.

How to avoid nervous system problems.

• Exercise daily which increases blood flow and natural painkillers called endorphins produced by the central nervous system give relief from stress and pain
• Take a balanced diet including vitamins B1, B6, B12, proteins, soya bean  provides the best protein, vitamins & minerals
• Take green leafy vegetables enriched in vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E and magnesium essential  for the nervous system  
• Take plenty of water
• Do enough rest/sleep
• Check up diabetes, and blood pressure which may cause neuro disorders
• Don’t use tobacco products, quit smoking 
• Consult your Doctor 

SUM UP

Enjoy a healthy life by enjoying life. Don’t be shy about laughing loudly, it’s the best medicine. Enjoy music, dance and sex (it’s also an exercise)

REMAIN HEALTHY