Download The Nervous System

The Nervous System
Your bodies control center
What does it do?
• The nervous system is
a network of cells
which allow the brain
to communicate with
all other organs
What makes up the
Nervous system ?
• Central Nervous
•
System (CNS)
Peripheral Nervous
System (PNS)
Central Nervous System
• Brain: weighs about 3
pounds and is composed
of 10 Billion neurons that
control all actions,
thoughts, and memory.
• Spinal Cord: Long bundle
of neurons which relay
messages to and from
the brain
Brain Vocabulary
•
•
•
•
•
•
CEREBRUM – The largest
portion of the brain; controlling
the senses, movement of
muscles, thinking, and speech.
CEREBELLUM – Section near the
brain stem that controls
balance, posture, and
coordination.
BRAIN STEM – Controls some
important automatic body
functions such as heartbeat,
breathing, blood pressure and
digestion.
NERVE – A bundle of neurons
that act like an electrical cord
moving signals through the
nervous system.
NUERONS – Specialized cells
that send quick messages
through the brain and body.
NERVOUS SYSTEM – Controls all
of your body’s actions.
Peripheral Nervous System
• The PNS is made up
•
of the nerves that
branch out from the
spinal cord to the
body
There are two
different kinds of PNS
nerves: Somatic &
Autonomic
Somatic & Autonomic Nerves
•
•
Somatic Nerves: A nerve
dealing with an action
you have control over
(i.e. legs & arms)
Autonomic Nerves: A
system dealing with
actions you do not
usually control (i.e.
breathing & digesting)
Problems
• Head injuries kill brain
neurons which cannot be
replace
• Spinal cord injury can result
from damage to the head,
neck or body. Paralysis of all
or part of the body may occur.
• Nerve inflammation
(“pinched nerve”) can follow a
minor injury and cause pain in
a single part of the body such
as the elbow, back or shoulder.
• Diseases unrelated to injuries
can also attack the nervous
system.
Examples: Brain Tumor, Epilepsy,
Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s
Disease
Care
• SLEEP: your NS needs rest
and sleep to function properly.
• AVOID ALCOHOL & DRUGS:
Alcohol and many other drugs
may destroy brain cells and
interfere with clear thought
and emotional stability.
• PLAY SAFELY: Wear
appropriate safety helmets and
equipment.
• SAFETY BELT: Click it
whenever you are in a moving
vehicle.