THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Gray’s Anatomy, a standard medical textbook used in chiropractic and medical schools states
the following;
“The Nervous System
includes the central nervous system, which is composed of the brain and spinal cord, the peripheral nervous system, which
is composed of nerves and ganglia and the sense organs such as the ear. Its function is to control and coordinate all
organs and structures and to relate the individual to his/her environment.”
The Nervous System main job is to gather information from the body and then
to control, coordinate and instruct the body so that the body can remain in a state of ease and not dis-ease. The Nervous
System is divided into two main systems;
1)
Central Nervous System.
2)
The Peripheral Nervous System.
The Central Nervous System is made up of the Brain and Spinal Cord. The Central Nervous System
main job is to control all the body’s other systems via the Brain, to receive communication from the body systems as
well as instruct the body systems on how and when to function via the Spinal Cord.
The Peripheral Nervous System main function is to connect the Central Nervous
System (Brain & Spinal Cord) to the extremities and organs of the body. The Peripheral Nervous System is divided into
two main systems;
1) The
Autonomic Nervous System.
2)
The Somatic Nervous System.
The Autonomic Nervous System main function is to act as a control system for functions below
the level of consciousness and controls internal organs functions. The Autonomic Nervous System affects the following;
1) Breathing (works in
tandem with the conscious mind).
2)
Digestion.
3)
Heart Rate.
4)
Micturition.
5)
Perspiration.
6)
Respiration Rate.
7)
Salivation.
8)
Sexual Arousal.
The Autonomic Nervous System is divided into three (3) systems;
1) Non-Adrenergic & Non-Cholinergic (Use
Nitric Oxide as a neurotransmitter).
2)
Parasympathetic
(Originates in the Brain Stem & Lower Part of the Spinal Cord which slows the heart,
constricts
the pupils and dilates the blood vessels).
3)
Sympathetic
(Originates in the Thoracic & Lumbar regions of the Spinal Cord which dilates
the pupils of
the eyes, increases rate & force of the heart contraction, dilates the bronchioles of the lungs,
slows down muscle movement
in the digestive tract, increases rennin which regulates the
body’s mean arterial blood pressure and promotes ejaculation).
The Somatic Nervous System aka Voluntary Nervous System
main function is to regulate body movement through control of skeletal (voluntary) muscles such as in walking and smiling
and also relates the body with the environment through the reception of external stimuli such as through the senses of vision,
hearing, taste and smell.