The nervous system controls everything from our thoughts and emotions to our movements and reflexes—but it’s made up of two major parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).| Simply Psychology
The somatic nervous system (SNS) is the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movement and processes external stimuli through two types of neurons: motor neurons (activating muscles) and sensory neurons (relaying information to the central nervous system).| Simply Psychology
Sensory neurons carry incoming information from the sensory receptors of the body toward the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), whereas motor neurons carry outgoing commands away from the central nervous system to the muscles and glands.| Simply Psychology
Spinal nerves are peripheral nerves that emerge from the spinal cord and carry motor, sensory, and autonomic signals between the spinal cord and the rest of the body. There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves: 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 1 coccygeal, named according to their corresponding vertebral levels.| Simply Psychology
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, and pupillary response.| Simply Psychology
The 12 cranial nerves are essential nerve pathways that originate in the brain and serve critical functions in the body, primarily in the head and neck. These nerves are: I. Olfactory (smell), II. Optic (vision), III. Oculomotor (eye movement), IV. Trochlear (eye movement), V. Trigeminal (facial sensation and chewing), VI. Abducent (eye movement), VII. Facial (facial expressions and taste), VIII. Vestibulocochlear (hearing and balance), IX. Glossopharyngeal (taste and swallowing), X. Vagus (c...| Simply Psychology
Motor neurons are nerve cells that carry messages from the brain and spinal cord to your muscles and glands. They control everything from blinking and walking to breathing and digestion.| Simply Psychology
The Central Nervous System (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord. It acts as the body's control center, processing sensory information and directing responses. The CNS coordinates both voluntary activities, like movement, and involuntary ones, such as breathing and heartbeat.| Simply Psychology
The sympathetic nervous system is a branch of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for "fight or flight" responses during stressful situations. It increases heart rate, dilates pupils, and inhibits digestion, among other functions, to mobilize the body's resources for immediate action.| Simply Psychology
The parasympathetic nervous system is a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which regulates bodily functions outside of voluntary control, therefore being automatic. It is also called the ‘rest and digest' system as it conserves the body’s natural activity and relaxes the individual once an emergency has passed. It promotes relaxation, energy conservation, and recovery by slowing the heart rate, stimulating digestion, and facilitating other processes when the body is restin...| Simply Psychology
A neuron is a nerve cell that processes and transmits information through electrical and chemical signals in the nervous system. Neurons consist of a cell body, dendrites (which receive signals), and an axon (which sends signals). Synaptic connections allow communication between neurons, facilitating the relay of information throughout the body.| Simply Psychology
The fight or flight response is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a perceived harmful event, attack, or threat to survival. It prepares your body to either confront or flee from the threat by triggering changes like increased heart rate, quickened breathing, and heightened alertness.| Simply Psychology