This anatomy essay examines the fundamental structure and organization of the nervous system, focusing on its two primary divisions: central and peripheral. The analysis covers the anatomical components of each division, including the brain and spinal cord in the CNS, and the nerve networks in the PNS. Additionally, the essay explores cellular components including neuron structure with its body, axons, and dendrites, as well as the six types of glial cells and their protective and supportive functions.
The two main nervous system divisions are central and peripheral nervous systems (National Institute of Health, 2018). The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord, while the peripheral consists of nerves that link the spinal cord with the rest of the body. The function of the central nervous system is to control the majority of the body parts since the brain is a primary organ. The brain helps interpret the environment and catch signals from the body and give it back to perform a certain function. Also, the spinal cord is a connecting bridge between the brain and the entire body since if it stops functioning or is harmed, the signals for performing functions to body parts would be lost. On the other hand, the peripheral nervous system has three main functions: carrying sensory information from the outside world and transporting it to the brain and spinal cord, providing regulation for major body functions, such as blood pressure control and prespring, and delivering commands to the body parts for executing particular duties (Chalk, 2009).
Neurons have three obvious parts: body, axon, and dendrites. Within the neuron body, there are a nucleus and cytoplasm for transmitting signals across certain body parts and the brain (Brain Facts.org, 2012). Axons are a network of extensions that arise from the cell body near the ending of the nerve terminal itself. Dendrites are extended from the neuron\\\\\\\'s cell body for receiving messages from different neurons.
Glial cells are found in the central and peripheral nervous systems. A total of six glial cells are distributed in both categories of the nervous system: astrocytes, microglia, ependymal cells, and oligodendrocytes are in the central nervous system, while Schwann cells and satellite glial cells are in the peripheral nervous system (Sathyajith, 2020). Astrocytes safeguard the neurons in CNS; oligodendrocytes wrap themselves around the axon within the same nervous system. In contrast, microglia and ependymal cells help empty the brain\\\\\\\'s cavities and repair function for the damaged cells (Rebecca, 2019). Satellites cells offer nutrients and safety to the neurons in the PNS, while Schwann cells protect the neuron\\\\\\\'s axons by wrapping themselves around them.
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