The Nervous System of the Human Body

The Nervous Syst= em of the Human Body

The boss of the body= is the Brain. The brain weighs about 3 pounds. <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> The brain consists of the cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem= , pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. The brain is soft and wrinkled. The gray matter is cells without insulation that are tightly packed in your brain and in the inner part of your spinal cord.= The white matter is cel= ls insulated with myelin. White = matter carries messages faster and farther. Neuroglial cells support and nourish nerve cells.<= /p>

The Cerebrum is the biggest part of the brain. Thinking takes place here. The cerebrum also controls volunta= ry muscles. Located here is shor= t and long-term memory along with reasoning.&nbs= p; The cerebrum is divided into the right and left cerebrum. The left side is logical and the r= ight side is for abstract things such as shapes, colors, music. The right cerebrum controls the le= ft side of the body and the left cerebrum controls the right side of the body. Use the right side of your cerebrum to raise your left hand.

The cerebellum is the back of the brain. It is smaller. Movement, balance and control, and coordination come from the cerebellum.&nbs= p; Use your cerebellum and stan= d on one foot.

The Brain Stem (the pons, medulla and midbrain) is below the cerebe= llum and connects the brain and the spinal cord. The brain stem function is to cont= rol breathing, digestion, and circulation.&nbs= p; The brain stem controls involuntary muscles. When you are sleeping, your brain = stem keeps you breathing.

The Pituitary Gland is the size of a pea. It releases hormones such as growth hormones. Are you taller and = bigger than you were last year? Your pituitary gland was at work. Teenagers go through big changes becoming adults thanks to the pitui= tary gland and the hormones that are released.&= nbsp; The pituitary gland regulated metabolism keeping your body working a= nd supplied with energy.

The Hypothalamus regulates your body temperature. Normal human body temperature is 9= 8.6⁰F or 37⁰ C. = The hypothalamus makes you sweat when it is too hot and it makes you shiver whe= n it is too cold.

The brain has cells = on each side which is called the amygdala. <= /span>The amygdala is responsible for emotions. Were you happy today? = Were you sad? That came from your = amygdala.

The Nerves are needed to work with the brain for messages to go back and forth from the body to the brain and from the brain to the body. The body contains billions of neur= ons (nerve cells). They connect through = out the body sending electric impulses. Nerve cells are called neurons. When a baby is born,= the neurons are not yet connected. As the baby grows, develops and learns, the neurons connect. Sensory nerves send messages to the brain. Motor neurons carry me= ssages back from the brain to the muscles and glands in the body. Nerve cells are long and thin to c= arry electrical pulses that tell cells to release chemical that carry the pulse = to the next cell. This is an electrochemical process. Lear= n more about neurons at http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/cells.html .

The brain works with= the Senses. The senses would not be useful wit= hout the processing that occurs in the brain.&n= bsp; the senses are sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch.

The Central nervous system is the brain and the spinal cord. The Peripheral nervous system is made up of the network of neurons that spans the orga= ns, muscles, and the body consisting of the autonomic nervous system (controlli= ng smooth muscles) and the somatic nervous system (controlling skeletal muscle= s). Learn more about the autonomic ner= vous system at http:= //faculty.washington.edu/chudler/auto.html .

Brain tumors A tumor is a swelling caused by overgrown tiss= ue. A tumor in the brain may grow slowly and produce few symptoms until it becomes large, or it can grow and spread rapidly, causing severe and quickly worsen= ing symptoms.

Cerebral palsy Cerebral palsy is the result of a developmental defect or damage to the brain before or during birth.

Epilepsy This condition is made up of a wide variety of seizure disorders. Partial seizures involve specific areas of the brain.

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