Central Nervous System (CNS)
* Brain: The control center of the body, responsible for thought, memory, language, emotion, and movement.
* Spinal Cord: A long, thin bundle of nerves that extends from the brain down the back, connecting the brain to the rest of the body. It carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
* Cranial Nerves: 12 pairs of nerves that originate from the brain and control sensory and motor functions in the head and neck.
* Spinal Nerves: 31 pairs of nerves that originate from the spinal cord and control sensory and motor functions in the rest of the body.
* Ganglia: Collections of nerve cell bodies located outside the brain and spinal cord.
Other Important Structures:
* Sensory Receptors: Specialized cells that detect stimuli such as light, sound, touch, temperature, and pain.
* Muscles: The tissues that allow for movement, controlled by the nervous system.
* Glands: Organs that produce and secrete hormones, which are regulated by the nervous system.
In Summary:
The nervous system is a complex and interconnected network of organs that work together to regulate all bodily functions. It includes the brain, spinal cord, nerves, ganglia, sensory receptors, muscles, and glands.
