The nervous system is a complex network of neurons that transmit signals throughout the body, coordinating and controlling a wide range of functions, from voluntary movements to involuntary processes like homeostasis and internal organ regulation.
Here are the illustrations of the human nervous system, designed to highlight the complexity and intricacy of both the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Main Divisions of the Nervous System:
1. Central Nervous System (CNS):
Comprised of the brain and spinal cord, the CNS is the primary control center for the body.
It processes and interprets incoming sensory information, generates thoughts and emotions, and coordinates the body's movements.
2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS):
Consisting of all the nerves outside the CNS, the PNS connects the CNS to the rest of the body.
It has two major subdivisions:
a. Somatic Nervous System:
This part of the PNS is responsible for voluntary movements and the perception of external sensations, such as touch, pain, and temperature.
It contains both sensory and motor neurons, with sensory neurons transmitting information from the body to the CNS and motor neurons carrying instructions from the CNS to the muscles.
b. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS):
This part of the PNS regulates involuntary processes and the function of internal organs, such as digestion, circulation, and respiration.
The ANS has two subdivisions: the sympathetic nervous system, which activates the "fight or flight" response in times of stress, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which supports the "rest and digest" state, helping the body to relax and conserve energy.
Here is the diagram illustrating the divisions of the nervous system: