The nervous system functions with specialized cells called neurons, which transmit signals in the form of small electric impulses. It is split into two parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
In this issue, we’ll discuss the central nervous system, which controls all of the superior functions of the human being, such as cognitive and emotional functions (thought, reasoning, memory, feelings, etc.).
It is made up by the encephalon and the spinal cord.
– Encephalon: nervous mass known as the control center of the body. It has millions of neurons that transmit information that comes from the outside and they also lead the body through a series of different actions. It has three parts: brain, cerebellum and cerebral trunk.
– Spinal cord: cylindrical mass of nervous tissue that performs the vital function of processing information and coordinating our body.
Brain
It is the main part of the encephalon. It is split into the right and left hemispheres, which are separated by a fissure that passes through the center of the organ. Each hemisphere has five lobes: parietal, occipital, frontal, temporal and insular.
Between both hemispheres and the cerebral trunk we have the diencephalon, which is formed by the thalamus, an oval-shaped mass that processes information from the sensory pathways, except the olfactory pathways. It is surrounded by a group of structures called the limbic system (a functional unit related with emotional responses, learning and memory).
Beneath the thalamus is the hypothalamus. Its function is to regulate physiological processes, such as hunger, body temperature, thirst, libido and sleep.
Other brain structures are grew matter or cerebral cortex and white matter.
– Grey matter or cerebral cortex: it generates and processes information related to muscle control, vision, hearing, emotions and language.
– White matter: it is in charge of transmitting sensory information from the rest of the body to the cerebral cortex. It also regulates involuntary functions, such as our heart rate.
