08/10/2025
Let’s start with the Central Nervous System/CNS
The CNS consists of the Brain & the Spinal Cord.
The Brain is made up of 3 types :
I) The Cerebrum,
II) The Cerebellum &
III) The Brainstem.
The Cerebrum is divided into 4 Major Lobes :
I) The Frontal Lobe,
II) The Temporal Lobe,
III) The Parietal Lobe &
IV) The Occipital Lobe.
Overall, the cerebrum is responsible for our higher-level Nervous System function including, Memory, Emotion, Problem-Solving & Reasoning, Movement, and much, much more.
The cerebellum sits on the back of the brain and plays a major role in movement, balance, and general motor control.
The brainstem sits at the base of the brain and connects the brain to the spinal cord. It is responsible for regulatory processes like breathing, blood pressure, and eating.
The spinal cord is a vital part of the central nervous system and runs from the base of the brain down through the back. It acts as a communication pathway between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord plays a key role in controlling movement & sensation and reflexes, including the knee-jerk reflex.
Now onto the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
The peripheral nervous system is the part of the nervous system that is outside of the brain and spinal cord. It includes all the nerves that reach every part of the body such as your limbs, organs, and other structures.
The PNS is divided into two main parts: the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movement and sensation in the skin, muscles, and joints. It is responsible for relaying information from the brain to the skeletal muscles, allowing us to move our limbs and perform other voluntary actions.
The autonomic nervous system, on the other hand, controls automatic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion. It is responsible for relaying information from the brain to the internal organs, allowing our body to function without conscious control.
The autonomic nervous system is further divided into two branches: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. These two branches work in opposite ways, the sympathetic branch increases activity of the organs and the parasympathetic branch decreases activity of the organs.
If you have a test coming up check out my test prep playlist or my helpful test prep resources in the description designed to help you take the stress out of tests and improve your grade. I’ve also included helpful study resources to help you learn more about the nervous system.
