human nervous system

Introduction
Human nervous system interactive
Prenatal and postnatal development of the human nervous system
- Neuronal development
- Morphological development
- Postnatal changes
Anatomy of the human nervous system
- The central nervous system
  - The brain
    - Cerebrum
      Lobes of the cerebral cortex
      Cerebral ventricles
      Basal ganglia
    - Brainstem
      Epithalamus
      Thalamus
      Hypothalamus
      Subthalamus
      Midbrain
      Pons
      Medulla oblongata
    - Cerebellum
  - The spinal cord
    - Cellular laminae
    - Ascending spinal tracts
      Dorsal column
      Spinothalamic tracts
      Spinocerebellar tracts
    - Descending spinal tracts
      Corticospinal tract
      Rubrospinal tract
      Vestibulospinal tract
      Reticulospinal tract
      Autonomic tracts
- The peripheral nervous system
  - Spinal nerves
    - Structural components of spinal nerves
    - Functional types of spinal nerves
    - Cervical plexus
    - Brachial plexus
    - Lumbar plexus
    - Sacral plexus
    - Coccygeal plexus
  - Cranial nerves
    - Olfactory nerve (CN I or 1)
    - Optic nerve (CN II or 2)
    - Oculomotor nerve (CN III or 3)
    - Trochlear nerve (CN IV or 4)
    - Trigeminal nerve (CN V or 5)
      Ophthalmic nerve
      Maxillary nerve
      Mandibular nerve
    - Abducens nerve (CN VI or 6)
    - Facial nerve (CN VII or 7)
    - Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII or 8)
    - Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX or 9)
    - Vagus nerve (CN X or 10)
    - Accessory nerve (CN XI or 11)
    - Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII or 12)
- The autonomic nervous system
  - Sympathetic nervous system
    - Sympathetic ganglia
    - Neurotransmitters and receptors
  - Parasympathetic nervous system
  - Enteric nervous system
Functions of the human nervous system
- Receptors
- Reflex actions
- Movement
  - Sensory receptors
    - Tendon organs
    - Muscle spindles
  - Basic organization of movement
    - Stretch reflexes
    - Reciprocal innervation
    - Posture
  - Lower-level mechanisms of movement
  - Higher-level mechanisms of movement
    - Cerebral hemispheres
    - Cerebellum
    - Basal ganglia
- The vestibular system
  - Sensory receptors
    - Saccule and utricle
    - Semicircular canals
  - Nerve supply
  - Vestibular functions
    - Vestibulo-ocular reflex
    - Conscious sensation
- Functions of the autonomic system
  - The eye
  - The urinary system
  - The reproductive system
  - The endocrine system
  - The cardiovascular system
    - Reflex pathways
    - Vasopressin and cardiovascular regulation
- Pain
  - Theories of pain
  - Lower-level pain pathways
    - Tissues
    - Peripheral nerves
    - Spinal cord
  - Higher-level pain pathways
    - Brain
    - Central pain
    - Referred pain
    - Changes in the cerebral cortex
- Perception
  - General organization of perception
  - Vision
  - Hearing
- Emotion and behavior
  - Emotion
  - The defense reaction
  - Mating
  - Urination and defecation
  - Eating and drinking
  - Temperature regulation
  - Reward and punishment
  - Circadian rhythms
- Higher cerebral functions
  - Analytical approaches
  - Hemispheric asymmetry, handedness, and cerebral dominance
  - Language
  - Memory
  - Executive functions of the frontal lobes

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images, Videos & Interactives

Diagram of a human figure showing the full nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and branching peripheral nerves throughout the body, with labels for each part.

human body system interactive

Two labeled diagrams show the human embryonic disk at 18 days: a three-quarter view and a cross-section, highlighting structures such as the amniotic cavity, yolk sac, embryonic shield, body stalk, and layers including ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.

Diagram showing three stages in early human embryonic development: the growth of the amnion at 23 days, a back view of an embryo at 21 days with the amnion cut open revealing neural structures, and a side view at 23 days with the yolk sac and amnion cut open, highlighting the heart, brain, spinal cord, and umbilical blood vessels.

Labeled anatomical diagram of the human brain in sagittal section, medial view, showing internal structures such as the corpus callosum, cerebellum, ventricles, brainstem, and other key regions.

Can we create a computer replica of the human brain?

cerebellum; human brain

Two halves of the human brain are separated with arrows pointing to each half and a question mark in the center.

Labeled diagram of the human brain from a side view, highlighting regions for motor, sensory, auditory, visual, and speech functions, including Broca's and Wernicke's areas.

Related Questions

Diagram of a human figure showing the full nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and branching peripheral nerves throughout the body, with labels for each part. — Human nervous system The conduction of electrochemical stimuli from sensory receptors in the human nervous system occurs via organized groups of specialized cells, consisting largely of neurons, various neural support cells, and tracts of nerve fibers.

human nervous system

anatomy

Written by

Duane E. HainesAll

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

human nervous system, system that conducts stimuli from sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord and conducts impulses back to other parts of the body. The conduction of electrochemical stimuli from sensory receptors occurs via organized groups of specialized cells, consisting largely of neurons, various neural support cells, and tracts of nerve fibers, which serve as a network channeling neural impulses to the site at which a response occurs. As with other higher vertebrates,...

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