Nervous System Mrs. Bowman - Health

What is the nervous system? Your nervous system receives information about what is going on inside and outside of your body. It processes the information and forms a response to it. It is able to accomplish these functions with the help of a cell called a neuron.

Neurons Neurons carry messages, or impulses, from one part of your body to another. There are 3 types of neurons: Sensory neurons – information is gathered by sensory neurons through your sense organs or other parts of your body. Interneurons – only located in your brain and spinal cord. They pass impulses from one neuron to another. Motor neurons – send nerve impulses to muscles and glands. Example: A bell rings – sensory neurons carry information about the sound, interneurons interpret the sound and produce instructions on what to do about it, motor neurons carry signals to the body to react.

Central Nervous System The central nervous system is the control center of the body. It includes the brain and spinal cord The Brain – The three major regions of the brain: the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brain stem. Cerebrum – receive messages from sense organs, control movement, memory, communication and reasoning. Cerebellum – coordinates your body’s movements and helps you keep your balance. Brain Stem – Controls many of your body’s involuntary actions (breathing, sneezing, etc…) The spinal cord – column of nerve tissue that extends from the brain down the back and links the brain to the other parts of your body.

Peripheral Nervous System The peripheral nervous system includes the network of nerves that links the rest of your body to your brain and spinal cord. Sensory Division – Carry information about your environment and body conditions and delivers the information to the central nervous system. Motor Division – Carries the responses back to your muscles and glands. The nerves of the motor division are divided into two groups based on the functions they control. Somatic Nervous System: Carry signals that control voluntary actions. Autonomic Nervous System: Regulate actions that happen automatically.

Keeping Your Nervous System Healthy The most important thing you can do to care for your nervous system is to protect it from injury! Avoid head injuries – trauma, disease, drugs – wear helmets when necessary, avoid drugs and alcohol, wear seatbelts, etc… Avoid Spinal cord injuries – can result in paralysis – use safety equipment when necessary, avoid drugs and alcohol. Avoid Nerve injuries – obesity, diabetes, repeated use – take breaks from repetitive motions and maintain good posture. Prevent infections – meningitis, rabies – get vaccinated, avoid contact with animals that act sick or behave strangely. Prevent headaches – Avoid stress, maintain a proper diet, exercise and adequate sleep. Identify possible triggers and try to avoid them.