Nervous System

Michael Piccio, Collin Porter, Alex Baldwin

The nervous system is the latest system evolved for the purpose
of co-ordination, reception of external stimuli and response to them.
The nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord and the
nerves given off by these structures.
The brain and spinal cord form what is called the Central
nervous system. Nerves that convey impressions from the special
organs of senses like vision, hearing, taste and smell; and impressions
from the skin, such as touch, pain temperature etc. are called afferent
or sensory nerves. When these in coming impulses reach the central
nervous system other nerves come into play.
For instance, if light is too strong, the eyes are immediately
'closed. The muscles of our body affect these movements, in common
with all voluntary movements, and the nerves play an important part
in these movements.
Such nerves' may be compared to a telegraphic system, by
which sensations such as pain, heat etc., are transmitted by the
afferent nerves to the central organization in the brain which
transmits its orders by the efferent or muter nerves to the muscles
concerned and the required movements are carried out.
The brain and spinal cord consist of nerves and small bodies called
centers or ganglion cells, and it is these cells that receive the different
impressions. The spinal cord is about 18 inches long and 1/2 inch
broad. It is composed partly of white and partly of grey looking
matter, the white forming the outside portion and the grey the central
portion of the cord.
The spinal cord gives off 32 pairs of nerves through openings on
either side of the spine each nerve having two roots. When the spinal
cord is injured the motor nerves may not be able to convey
impressions to certain parts of the body.
Movements and other actions are n it then possible, and that part of
the body is said to be realized. Reflex actions are those actions that
are performed unconsciously or without the action of the will. Many
of our actions are performed in this way.
Locomotion to a large extent and the movement of the lungs in
respiration are examples of what is called automatic action. For
instance once the impulse to walk is set up in the brain and the
movement is started, it no longer requires an effort of will to move the

limbs The actions continues without conscious thought, it becomes,

so to speak, automatic.
The Brain:
The brain is a very c6mplicated organ, and consists of very
many different and important parts. It is divided into the cerebrum
and cerebellum. The cerebrum is divided into two portions situated in
either side of the skull cavity.
Beneath the cerebrum or great brain, and at the back of the skull is
the cerebellum or small brain. The brain is composed of the same
substances as the spinal cord, and gives off 12 pairs of nerves called
cranial nerves, some of which are the nerves of the special senses.
Others are for regulating the movements of the muscles of the eyeball
and tongue. Another and very important nerve, called the
Pneumonia-gastric which consists of both sensory and motor fibers,
supplies branches to the lungs, heart, food pipe, stomach, liver etc., to
enable them to perform their proper functions.
The Sympathetic Nervous System:
The sympathetic nervous system is a connected chain of ganglia
given off by the spinal nerves on either side of the spine. The organs
in the belly and chest cavities receive branches from this system, it is
the sympathetic system of nerves that supplies the walls of arteries
and regulates the amount of blood contained in then.
It is the action of the sympathetic nerve that causes sudden flushing
of the face. It also regulates the action of the stomach, heart and other
organs of the abdomen and chest to a large extent and helps to
maintain the heat of the body.