Overview of the Nervous System
Start with the big picture
The lesson organizes nervous system anatomy from large-scale divisions to cellular communication. It distinguishes the brain and spinal cord from the peripheral nerves, ganglia, and receptors, then follows sensory input toward the CNS and motor output away from it. Motor pathways include somatic and autonomic components, with sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric divisions. The overview also covers neurons and glial cells, gray and white matter, major brain regions, spinal cord organization, and protective structures such as the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid. Further topics connect embryological origins and neurotransmitters with membrane potentials, action potentials, synaptic transmission, and neural plasticity.
What you'll learn
- Distinguish the central and peripheral divisions of the nervous system.
- Explain the difference between afferent and efferent pathways.
- Identify the somatic and autonomic motor components and autonomic branches.
- Describe the roles of neurons, glial cells, gray matter, and white matter.
- Outline key protective, electrical, and synaptic features of nervous tissue.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
