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Organization of the Nervous System definitions

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  • Nervous System
    Complex network of neurons transmitting electrochemical information, coordinating sensation, movement, and internal regulation.
  • Central Nervous System
    Control center composed of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for thoughts, emotions, memories, and motor commands.
  • Peripheral Nervous System
    Network of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, linking the body to the CNS for sensation and movement.
  • Brain
    Organ within the CNS serving as the headquarters for processing thoughts, emotions, perceptions, and voluntary actions.
  • Spinal Cord
    Bundle of nerve fibers in the CNS transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
  • Somatic Nervous System
    Subsystem of the PNS controlling voluntary skeletal muscle movements and conscious motor actions.
  • Skeletal Muscle
    Muscle tissue attached to bones, enabling voluntary movements such as writing, kicking, or lifting.
  • Autonomic Nervous System
    Subsystem of the PNS regulating involuntary functions in organs, glands, and blood vessels without conscious control.
  • Sympathetic Division
    Branch of the ANS activating the fight-or-flight response, increasing heart rate and energy during stress or threat.
  • Parasympathetic Division
    Branch of the ANS promoting rest-and-digest activities, slowing heart rate and enhancing digestion during relaxation.
  • Fight-or-Flight Response
    Physiological reaction preparing the body for action under threat, marked by increased heart rate and alertness.
  • Rest-and-Digest System
    State facilitated by the parasympathetic division, supporting relaxation, digestion, and energy conservation.
  • Antagonistic Effects
    Opposing influences exerted by the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions on shared organs to maintain balance.
  • Homeostasis
    Dynamic equilibrium maintained by the nervous system through regulation of internal bodily functions.
  • Sensory Nerves
    Nerve fibers in the PNS transmitting information about pain, pressure, and other sensations to the CNS.