Introduction to the nervous system

This chapter focuses on the nervous system. This includes motor control and the basis of sensation. It outlines the organization of the nervous system and the nature of its constituent cells. The nervous system may be divided into five main parts: the brain, the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, the autonomic nervous system, and the enteric nervous system. The chapter discusses how the brain and spinal cord constitute the central nervous system (CNS), while the peripheral nerves, autonomic nervous system, and enteric nervous system make up the peripheral nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that is concerned with the innervation of blood vessels and the internal organs, which includes the autonomic ganglia that run parallel to the spinal column and their associated nerves.