1. Nervous System Notes

2. FUNCTION OF NERVOUS SYSTEM
Sensory Function – detects changes (stimuli) within body and outside body
Integrative Function – It analyzes sensory information, stores some aspects, and makes decisions regarding appropriate behaviors

3. Motor Functions – it may respond to stimuli by initiating muscular contractions or glandular secretions
These muscles or glands are called effectors

4. DIVISIONS OF NERVOUS SYSTEM
Two primary divisions :
Central Nervous System (CNS) – consists of brain and spinal cord

5. information is integrated
thoughts and emotions are generated
memories are formed and stored
Most nerve impulses that influence effector organs begin in CNS

6. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) – consists of cranial and spinal nerves
Sensory/afferent neurons – carry information from body toward CNS
Motor/efferent neurons – carry instructions away from CNS to target or effector organs of body

8. PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
PNS divided into:
Somatic Nervous System (SNS)– brings info from skin, special senses, body wall and limbs to CNS, and motor neurons to skeletal muscles
Voluntary portion of PNS

9. AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (ANS)
brings info from receptors in internal organs to CNS and motor neurons to smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glands.
Responses are involuntary

10. ANS divided into:
Sympathetic Nervous System – “fight or flight”
Emergency or non-normal situations

11. Parasympathetic Nervous System – “feed and breed”
Normal everyday situations
Most organs receive input from both divisions