The Nervous System
The Nervous System
The Nervous System
• The basic cell of the nervous system is the neuron. It carries nerve
impulses, or action potential, from one part of the body to another.
• A typical neuron has three parts: a cell body, which controls the growth
of the nerve cell; dendrites, which are short-branched fibers that carry
impulses or messages toward the cell body; and the axon, which is
typically long, thin fibers that carries messages away from the cell
body.
• The axon is also known as nerve fibers. The fibers are made up of
connective tissue bundles.
Parts and Functions of the
Nervous System
A. The Central Nervous System
The Central Nervous System (CNS) consists of the brain and the spinal cord. It
is where the interneurons receive and pass on messages. The brain is the
control center of the CNS while the spinal cord relays sensory and motor
information to and from the brain and other parts of the body.
The Brain
It is a moist and spongy organ with an average of 3 pounds in
weight. It consists of 10 billion neurons that control everything a person does,
such as thoughts, movements, memory, and sense. The brain produces waves
of electrical impulses that differ in length and frequency, depending upon the
type of activity performed by the body. Every person has a different brain wave
pattern, just as every person has a unique set of fingerprints and footprints.
1. The Brain
The skull protects the brain. Beneath the skull are three distinct
layers of membranes that cover the entire brain. The entirety of these
membranes of these membranes is call meninges. The cerebrospinal fluid
substance is located between the middle and inner meninges and in some
spaces within the brain. This fluid helps cushion and protect the brain
and the spinal cord. The brain is divided into three parts: the cerebrum,
cerebellum, and the brain stem.
• Brain Stem – located below the cerebellum at the base of the skull,
which serves as the body’s life support system. It controls the
heartbeat, breathing, and blood pressure.
1. The Brain
• Treatment: Surgery
• Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the nervous system that
affects the movement of a person. It develops gradually and
tremors start in the hands. In early stages, the face shows little or
no expression. The arms do not swing when one walks.
• Ensure adequate intake of healthy fats such as oil and vegetable oil.
Adequate vitamin d and vitamin B-12 is essential to maintain optimal myelin
in the neurons.
• Exercise the nervous system on daily basis by stretching the arms and
reading in order for the motor and sensory pathways to be used. This type of
exercise plays a role in regulating blood circulation through your brain and
also reduces the risk of many diseases.