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Nervous System

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The nervous system is a system of nerves and nervous tissue whose main function is to generate, transmit and interpret neural impulses from and to other body systems. The nervous system is divided into the central and peripheral nervous systems.

The brain and spinal cord are the main parts of the central nervous system, while the peripheral nervous system includes nerves that connect to every organ and tissue in your body.

The main cells of the nervous system are called neurons, or nerve cells.

The brain controls all bodily functions, including muscle movement, sensory perception and heart rate.

The spinal cord connects your brain to nerves in your body below the neck, passing information between them as electrical impulses that travel along nerve fibers called axons.

Learn the anatomy of the nervous system with a full anatomy course with advanced quizzes and videos!

Three sensory neurons transmitting the sensation from the skin through the spinal cord ending in the sensory cortex

Organization of the nervous system
nerves-1An image showing the basic neuron types: unipolar (top), bipolar (middle), multipolar (bottom)

Neurons: an overview
Supporting cells on a myelinated axon.

Glial cells
Multipolar neuron with nerve signals via its dendrites.

Neurophysiology
Spinal cord with anterior and posterior nerve roots from an anterior perspective.

Spinal Cord
Sagittal view of head and neck highlighting different parts of the brain (cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem)

The Brain
Spinal nerves passing through the lateral foramen of the thoracic vertebrae

Nerves
Sensory organs (skins, tongue and eye)

Sensory System
Motor innervation from the spinal cord to the muscles of the leg.

Motor System

Most read articles

Spinal cord with anterior and posterior nerve roots from an anterior perspective.
Spinal Cord Quiz: Cross-Sectional Anatomy
An illustration showing the central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system
Major Organs and Divisions of the Nervous System

Major Organs and Divisions of the Nervous System; explained beautifully in an illustrated and interactive way.
Anterior view of the spinal cord showing a cross section of the neuron which contains Fascilces and neuron axons within
Types of Neurons

Classification of Neurons; explained beautifully in an illustrated and interactive way.
Spinal cord segment cross-sectional image showing without labels
Spinal Nerve Roots

The spinal nerve roots are two pairs extend from each segment of the spinal cord which explained beautifully in an illustrated and interactive way.
An image of neuron showing its structures
Axon – Structure and Functions

Axon (Structure and Functions); explained beautifully in an illustrated and interactive way.
An image showing the lobes of the cerebrum colored, lateral view of the right hemisphere and medial view of the left hemisphere
Cerebral Cortex – Lobes, Fissures, Gyri, and Sulci

Lobes, Fissures, Gyri, and Sulci of the Cerebral Cortex; explained beautifully in an illustrated and interactive way.
An inferior view of the brain showing the cranial nerves
Cranial Nerves – Anatomy and Functions

Cranial Nerves (Anatomy and Functions); explained beautifully in an illustrated and interactive way.
An image showing a unipolar neuron connecting between the organ and the CNS
Unipolar Neuron – Structure and Functions

Unipolar (pseudounipolar) neurons have one process that attached to the cell body.
Structure of multipolar neuron and cross section in the spinal cord where it's located
Multipolar Neurons – Structure and Functions

An interactive tutorial about the multipolar neurons structure, function, and location featuring the beautiful GBS illustrations and animations.
An image showing the nerve basic anatomical structures of the nerve (cross-section)
Nerve Structure (Anatomy and diagram)

Nerve Structure (Anatomy); explained beautifully in an illustrated and interactive way.