Learning Outline

Nervous System Overview

A & P 1

The outline for the nervous system is very large, so I've split it into two parts: Part 1 and Part 2. Pretty easy to follow so far, eh? Do the overview on this page first, then navigate to Nervous System 1 and then Nervous System 2. We will only very briefly touch on the senses. Most of your study of the human senses will be in the first part of the A&P 2 Lab course—next semester.

Introduction to the nervous system

Primary functions

Sensation

Integration

Regulation/control

General organization

Structural

• Central nervous system (CNS)
  
  
• Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
  

Functional

• Sensory nervous system
  
  
  • Somatic and special sensory nervous system
    
    
  • Visceral (autonomic) sensory nervous system
    
    
• Motor nervous system
  
  
  • Somatic motor nervous system
    
    
  • Autonomic [motor] nervous system (ANS)
    
    
    • Sympathetic division
      
      
    • Parsympathetic division

Explore animations of the organization of the nervous system - click here (optional)

The reflex arc

Afferent pathway (afferent = toward)

• Receptor — sensory mechanisim to receive stimulus
  

Integrator

• Receives sensory information and determines what (if any) response to make
  

Efferent pathway (efferent = away from)

• Effector — muscle, gland, or other cell that receives motor output

Explore animations of the reflex arc (optional): animation 1 animation 2