The nervous system has two parts: the central nervous system and theperipheral nervous system.
What Is the Central Nervous System?
The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord:
- The brain controls how we think, learn, move, and feel.
- The spinal cord carries messages back and forth between the brain and the nerves that run throughout the body.
Both the brain and the spinal cord are protected by bone: the brain by the bones of the skull, and the spinal cord by , a set of ring-shaped bones. They're both cushioned by layers of membranes (called meninges) and cerebrospinal fluid. The fluid flows through hollow spaces in the brain called ventricles and around the spine in the spinal column. It protects the central nervous system, nourishes it, and takes away waste products.
What Does the Central Nervous System Do?
The brain is like a central computer that controls all the body's functions. It is in charge of what we think and feel, how we learn and remember, and the way we move and talk. It also controls things we're less aware of — like the beating of our hearts and the digestion of our food. The brain sends messages back and forth with the body. These messages travel through the spinal cord.
What Are the Parts of the Brain?
The brain is very complex and very compact. An adult's brain weighs only about 3 pounds. It has many folds and grooves that store important information. The main parts of the brain are the cerebrum, the brainstem, and the cerebellum.
The Cerebrum
The cerebrum (seh-REE-brum) is the biggest part of the brain. A large part of the cerebrum is the cerebral cortex (also known as "gray matter").
The cortex has four areas called lobes that work together to create a person's personality and everything they know. Each lobe processes a different kind of information:
- The frontal lobe is involved in complex thinking, like planning, imagining, making decisions, and reasoning. It's located behind the forehead.
- The parietal (peh-RYE-et-el) lobe processes information about touch, taste, and temperature. It's behind the frontal lobe.
- The temporal lobe lets us understand sounds and language, recognize objects and faces, and create memories. It's near the ears.
- The occipital (ok-SIP-it-el) lobe processes light and other visual information from the eyes, letting us know what we're seeing. It's in the rear part of the brain.
The cerebrum has two halves, called hemispheres. A band of nerve fibers (the corpus callosum) connects them in the middle, which lets them exchange information. The left hemisphere controls the movements of the right side of the body. The right hemisphere of the brain controls the movements of the left side of the body.
The Brainstem
The brainstem connects the brain and the spinal cord. It is made up of the pons, the medulla (meh-DULL-uh), and the midbrain. These parts work together to control and coordinate the messages going in and out of the brain. The brainstem also controls many body functions that we often don’t think about — like breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, swallowing, and digestion.
The Cerebellum
Behind the cerebrum is the cerebellum (sair-uh-BELL-um). The cerebellum — also called the "little brain" because it looks like a small version of the cerebrum — is responsible for balance, movement, and coordination.
Other Structures in the Brain
Many other smaller parts of the brain do important jobs, including:
- The thalamus, which receives messages about the senses, like vision, hearing, and touch coming from the eyes, ears, and fingers.
- The hypothalamus, which controls the pulse, thirst, appetite, sleep patterns, and other processes that happen automatically.
- The pituitary gland, which makes hormones that control growth, metabolism, water and mineral balance, sexual maturity, and response to stress.
What Are the Parts of the Spinal Cord?
The spinal cord is a long bundle of nerve tissue. In an adult, it's about 18 inches long and 1/2-inch thick. It extends from the lower part of the brainstem down the back.
The spinal cord has three sections that run the length of the spine. Each section's name describes the part of the spine it passes through: cervical (SER-vih-kul), thoracic (theh-RAH-sik), and lumbar-sacral (LUM-ber SAK-rul). They send off smaller nerves to parts of the body nearby:
- The cervical spinal cord sends nerves to the face and neck.
- The thoracic spinal cord sends nerves to the arms, chest, and abdomen.
- The lumbar-sacral spinal cord sends nerves to the lower body.
A bunch of nerves — called cauda equina because they look like a horse’s tail — is at the bottom of the spinal cord.
FAQs
The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord: The brain controls how we think, learn, move, and feel. The spinal cord carries messages back and forth between the brain and the nerves that run throughout the body.
What does the central nervous system brain and spinal cord do? ›
The central nervous system is the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system consists of everything else. The central nervous system's responsibilities include receiving, processing, and responding to sensory information.
How to repair the central nervous system naturally? ›
Rebalancing your nervous system means getting back to a state where you feel calm and centered. You can try practicing deep breathing exercises, spending time in nature, or taking short breaks during the day. Regular sleep, a balanced diet, and talking to someone you trust can also help.
How do you know something is wrong with your nervous system? ›
Numbness, tingling,or weakness. Or you may not be able to move a part or all of one side of the body (paralysis). Dimness, blurring, double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes. Loss of speech, trouble talking, or trouble understanding speech.
What are the signs of a dysregulated nervous system? ›
An underactive, dysregulated nervous system can present different symptoms, such as low energy levels, sluggishness and reduced motivation. This can also lead to struggles with focus and attention, feeling lethargic, or being disconnected from surroundings.
What are the 3 functions of the central nervous system? ›
The three broad functions of the CNS are to take in sensory information, process information, and send out motor signals. The CNS is differentiated from the peripheral nervous system, which involves all of the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord that carry messages to the CNS.
What are the disorders of the central nervous system? ›
Disorders of the nervous system
Infections, such as meningitis, encephalitis, polio, and epidural abscess. Structural disorders, such as brain or spinal cord injury, Bell's palsy, cervical spondylosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, brain or spinal cord tumors, peripheral neuropathy, and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
What are 7 foods that may heal nerve damage? ›
What to Enjoy
- Lean Protein – lean proteins such as chicken, turkey, tofu, and beans can keep blood cells and nerves healthy because they are high in vitamin B12. ...
- Fish – salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel are great sources of Omega-3 fatty acids which are anti-inflammatory and can assist with nerve regeneration.
Broccoli, spinach and asparagus all contain vitamin B, a nutrient important for nerve regeneration and nerve function. Spinach, broccoli and kale also contain a micronutrient called alpha-lipoic acid that prevents nerve damage and improves nerve function.
Can you fix a damaged central nervous system? ›
Central nervous system injuries
Injured nerve cells in the central nervous system typically do not regenerate. However, this part of the nervous system can reorganize in response to an injury.
Symptoms/Signs of Weak Nervous System
- Headache that lasts for a long time: People with a weak mindset are more likely to suffer from headaches consistently.
- Tingling or a loss of sensation: ...
- Muscle weakness or lack of strength: ...
- Double vision or blindness: ...
- Inability to think clearly:
Numbness or tingling. Weakness or a reduced ability to move any part of the body (not caused by pain). Tremors, tics, or other unusual movements, such as a walking (gait) change or mouth smacking. Coordination problems, such as dropping things, tripping, or falling more often.
How to tell if your nervous system is damaged? ›
Common Symptoms of a Nerve Condition
- A feeling of numbness, pain, tingling, or burning in your limbs or extremities.
- Unexplained weakness, loss of muscle strength, or paralysis.
- A headache that is persistent, comes on suddenly, or is "different"
- Problems with coordination.
- Shooting pain down one leg.
Gentle exercise, weighted blankets, and increasing your fat intake are just a few ways to give help your nervous system relax. It doesn't matter what year it is. Life can be a lot. From work stressors to family obligations to current events, our nervous system bears the brunt of it all.
What is the best supplement for the nervous system? ›
B vitamins are useful in treating neuropathy since they support healthy nervous system function. Peripheral neuropathy is sometimes caused by a vitamin B deficiency. Supplementation should include vitamin B1 (thiamine and benfotiamine), B6, and B12. You may choose to take these separately instead of as a B complex.
How long does it take to heal the nervous system? ›
Nerves recover slowly, and maximal recovery may take many months or several years. Regular checkups allow your healthcare professional to make sure your recovery is on track. If your injury is caused by a medical condition, your healthcare professional treats the condition.
What does the brain do for the central nervous system? ›
The brain is a complex organ that controls thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision, breathing, temperature, hunger and every process that regulates our body. Together, the brain and spinal cord that extends from it make up the central nervous system, or CNS.
Why are the brain and spinal cord called the central nervous system? ›
A stimulus from any part of the body is always carried to the brain or spinal cord for the correct response. A response to a stimulus is also generated in the central nervous system. Therefore, the brain and the spinal cord are called the central nervous system.
What is the central nervous system and CSF? ›
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is present within the ventricular system of the brain, the central canal of the spinal cord, and the subarachnoid space (SAS) between the pia mater and the arachnoid mater. CSF is a component of, and is continuous with, the interstitial fluid of the central nervous system (CNS).
What is the function of the spinal nerves in the brain? ›
It connects your brain to your lower back. Your spinal cord carries nerve signals from your brain to your body and vice versa. These nerve signals help you feel sensations and move your body. Any damage to your spinal cord can affect your movement or function.
