Understanding The Nervous System

Fight or flight: The sympathetic nervous system The sympathetic nervous system makes up part of the autonomic nervous system, also known as the involuntary nervous system. Without conscious direction, the autonomic nervous system regulates important bodily functions such as    1.     heart rate, 2.     blood pressure, 3.     pupil dilation, 4.     body temperature, 5.     sweating and 6.     digestion,   Research suggests that distinct types of nerve cells, called neurons, control these different physical reactions by directing the action of skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and gland secretion. The system allows animals to make quick internal adjustments and react without having to think about it. The sympathetic nervous system directs the body's rapid involuntary response to dangerous or stressful situations. A flash flood of hormones boosts th...

The  autonomic nervous system  ( ANS ), formerly the  vegetative nervous system , is a division of the  peripheral nervous system  that supplies smooth muscle and glands, and thus influences the function of  internal organs .  The autonomic nervous system is a control system that acts largely unconsciously and regulates bodily functions such as the  heart rate ,  digestion ,  respiratory rate ,  pupillary response ,  urination , and  sexual arousal . This system is the primary mechanism in control of the  fight-or-flight response . Within the brain, the autonomic nervous system is regulated by the  hypothalamus . Autonomic functions include  control of respiration ,  cardiac regulation  (the cardiac control center),  vasomotor  activity (the  vasomotor center ), and certain  reflex actions  such as  coughing ,  sneezing ,  swallowing  and  vom...

The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, sensory organs , and all of the nerves that connect these organs with the rest of the body .  Together, these organs are responsible for the control of the body and communication among its parts.  The brain and spinal cord form the control center known as the central nervous system (CNS), where information is evaluated and decisions made.  The sensory nerves and sense organs of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) monitor  conditions inside and outside of the body and send this information to the CNS.  Efferent nerves in the PNS carry signals from the control center to the muscles, glands, and organs to regulate their functions.