Basic Division of Nervous System

gather information from environment

process the information

stimulate body to respond appropriately

• sensory input - gather information from environment
• integration - process it
• motor output - stimulate body to respond appropriately

CNS - brain & spinal cord (both are protected by bone)

• PNS - all nerves exiting spinal cord & innervate body
• * two subdivisions
• - autonomic NS - sends impulses to control involuntary actions
• - Somatic NS - sends impulses to control voluntary actions

branch sending impulses controlling involuntary actions

branch sending impulses controlling voluntary actions

afferent signal - when stimulus is detected by NS, impulse is sent to brain

integration - brain receives information & proceses it

efferent signal - When the impulse sends out a response, it is sent to the body

efferent impulses reaching skeletal muscle (voluntary movement)

branch innervating pharyngeal muscles

nerves carrying efferent impulses reaching internal organs & regulating involuntary muscle contractions

afferent impulses originating from non-visceral areas such as skin & muscle

proprioceptive senses - sends sensory information from muscle, ligaments, tendons, & indicate body position

Special somatic senses - localized receptors such as those of ear & eyes

sends sensory information from muscle, ligaments, tendons, & indicate body position

localized receptors such as those of ear & eyes

afferent impulses generated by internal organs (ex. taste buds)