N5315 Advanced Pathophysiology Neuro Anatomy and Physiology

N5315 Advanced Pathophysiology Neuro Anatomy and Physiology Age Related Differences in A&P Overview The nervous system is responsible for regulating and coordinating all body systems. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system consists of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 spinal nerves. It is further subdivided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. The PNS has afferent and efferent pathways which are responsible for transmitting information. Afferent nerves are sensory nerves that carry impulses from the cells, tissues, and organs to the CNS. Efferent nerves carry impulses from the CNS to cells, tissues and organs. Cells of the Nervous System Neuron A neuron is the basic functional unit of the nervous system and its primary fuel source is glucose. There are three parts of the neuron: the cell body, the dendrite and the axon. Most cell bodies are located in the CNS. When they are dense