Nervous System Overall Functions of NS 1.

Sensory Functions Sensory receptors detect stimuli about changes in the internal and external environment and send this info to the CNS. 2. Integration Function Integrates sensory information by analyzing it, storing it, and initiating an appropriate response to it. Involves CNS 3. Motor Function Involves effectors that are activated by information from the CNS to produce response. Stimulation of effectors usually involves contraction of muscles and/or secretion by glands. Organization of NS Central Nervous System (CNS) Consists of brain and spinal cord Is the integration and command center for NS Receives and interprets incoming sensory info from receptors Initiates outgoing motor info (based on reflexes, past exp.,and current conditions) to effectors (glands and muscles) in order to produce appropriate responses Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) is part of NS outside CNS provides communication between the CNS and the rest of the body via sensory pathways from receptors and motor pathways to effectors

Consists of: 1. Sensory Receptors Monitor internal + external environments to detect changes (stimuli) Can be dendrites of sensory neurons or specialized cells or groups of cells (retina) Examples of sensory receptors: Light receptors of retina in eye Chemoreceptors of taste buds Baroreceptors in blood vessels Stretch receptors in uterus Pain receptors Temperature receptors Touch receptors 2. Nerves Bundles of 100s to 1000s of axons (plus associated CT and BVs) that lie outside CNS

Each nerves follows a defined path and serves a specific region of the body

2 Major Groups 1. Cranial Nerves Directly enter and/or exit brain Can be sensory (transmit information from receptors to brain), motor (transmit info from brain to effectors), or mixed (transmit both sensory+motor info 12 pairs Number using roman numerals Examples: I: Olfactory nerves transmit sensory info from chemoreceptors in nose to appropriate region of brain. II: Optic nerves transmit sensory info from light receptors in eyes to appropriate region of brain III: Oculomotor nerves transmit motor info from brain to skeletal and smooth muscles of the eye X: Vagus nerves are mixed nerves carrying sensory info from receptors in organs to brain and motor info from the brain to cardiac muscle (heart) and smooth muscles in walls of visceral organs 2. Spinal Nerves 31 pairs Each pair emerges from the spinal cord through intervertebral foramina between vertebrae All are classified as mixed nerves because they transmit both sensory and motor info along difference axons running in nerves Each pair of spinal nerves is name after region of the vertebral column from which it emerges 8 cervical C1-C8 12 thoracic T1-T12 5 lumbar L1-L5 5 sacral S1-S5 1 coccygeal C0 3. Ganglia (ganglion) Small masses of nervous tissue consisting of neuron cell bodies Located outside CNS

4. Enteric Plexuses Extensive networks of neurons in walls of GI tract Regulates digestive system processes