Nervous system

The nervous system is a highly specialized network whose principal components are nerves called neurons. Neurons are interconnected to each other in complex arrangements and have the property of conducting, using electrochemical signals, and a great variety of stimuli both within the nervous tissue as well as from and towards most of the other tissues. Thus, neurons coordinate multiple functions in organisms. Nervous systems are found in many multicellular animals but differ greatly in complexity between species.

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The human nervous system can be grouped into both with gross anatomy, (which describes the parts that are large enough to be seen with the naked eye,) and microanatomy, (which describes the system at a cellular level.) At gross anatomy, the nervous system can be grouped in distinct organs, these being actually stations which the neural pathways cross through. Thus, with a didactical purpose, these organs, according to their ubication, can be divided in two parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Central nervous system

The central nervous system (CNS) represents the largest part of the nervous system, including the brain and the spinal cord. The CNS is contained within the dorsal cavity, with the brain within the cranial cavity, and the spinal cord in the spinal cavity. The CNS is covered by the meninges. The brain is also protected by the skull, and the spinal cord is also protected by the vertebrae. The nervous system can be connected into many systems that can function together. The two systems are central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Peripheral nervous system

The PNS consists of all the other nervous structures that do not lie in the CNS. The large majority of what are commonly called nerves (which are actually axonal processes of nerve cells) are considered to be PNS.

Microanatomy

The nervous system is, on a small scale, primarily made up of neurons. However, glial cells also play a major role.

Neurons

ey are the core components of both the central nervous system & peripheral nervous system. Neurons are sensors that send electric messages to the Central Nervous System which send the electric messages back to the neurons telling them how to react, where the messages are finally sent back directly to the brain. These messages travel at a usual pace of 100 meters per second.The neuron is the fundamental unit of the nervous system, particularly the brain

Glial cells

Glial cells are non-neuronal cells that provide support and nutrition, maintain homeostasis, form myelin, and participate in signal transmission in the nervous system. In the human brain, glia are estimated to outnumber neurons by about 10 to 1.

Glial cells provide support and protection for neurons. They are thus known as the "glue" of the nervous system. The four main functions of glial cells are to surround neurons and hold them in place, to supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons, to insulate one neuron from another, and to destroy pathogens and remove dead neurons.