Composed of a complex matrix of nerve cells connecting every portion in our body we
have the nervous system. Without this, the ability to be apart of the human species, properly
function let alone survive wouldn’t be p
...
Composed of a complex matrix of nerve cells connecting every portion in our body we
have the nervous system. Without this, the ability to be apart of the human species, properly
function let alone survive wouldn’t be possible. This report will discuss the relationships
between the branches of the nervous system and the communication pathway between the heart
and the brain. It will also continue by addressing how this system helps maintain homeostasis in
the human body and discuss a disease that is triggered from imbalances of the autonomic
nervous system.
The nervous system is divided into two major divisions: the peripheral nervous system
and the central nervous system. Each of these divisions are subdivided into further categories:
the peripheral divides into the somatic NS and the automatic NS which further divides into the
sympathetic NS and parasympathetic NS. The central NS is broken down into the brain and
spinal cord, which also is further broken down into separate divisions—refer to Figure 1 for a
visual aid of this breakdown. For this portion of the report we will focus primarily on the
relationship between the central and peripheral nervous systems and then its ability to
communicate to sensory organs. As mentioned previously, the central nervous system is
composed of the spinal cord and the brain. Formed by the vertebrae is the vertebral canal, this is
where the spinal cord resides. The brain is located within the skull and the two are connected via
the foramen magnum of the skull. The peripheral nervous system connects the remaining parts of
the body to the central NS via nervous tissues. It is through this relationship that information is
shared between the two in order to command the body’s activities. Included in the peripheral NS
there are two neuron subdivisions: motor neurons, efferent, which connect the central NS to
muscles and glands and sensory neurons, afferent, which connects sensory organs to the central
NS. Narrowing down on the sensory (afferent) division this also can be broken down into t
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