NERVES

NERVES

Nerves are enclosed cable like bundles of axons (the long, thin projections of neurons the nerve cell). The nervous system is anatomically divided into two parts one central and the other including brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. The network of nerves which connects spinal cord to various parts of the body is known as peripheral nervous system. Nerves acts as information highway to carry signals between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body. Each axon is wrapped in a connective tissue sheath called endoneurium. The wrapping of nerves helps to protect the axons and to increase the speed of their communication within the body.

Functions:

Functions of nervous system are very vast to explain. The main function of nerves is to carry impulses of nervous system from periphery to the brain and vice versa.  There are various types of nerves which functions in the body, afferent, efferent and mixed nerves, cranial nerves and spinal nerves.  Some of the nerves in the body are specialized for carrying information in only one direction similar to one way street. Other neuron known as efferent nerves, carry signals only from central nervous system to the effectors such as muscles and glands. Cranial nerves are 12 pair of nerves that extend from inferior side of the brain. Spinal nerves extends from left and right side of the spinal cord, there are 31 pairs of spinal nerves. The spinal nerves are mixed nerves that carry both sensory and motor signals between the spinal cord and specific regions of the body. There are 8 pairs of cervical nerves, 12 pairs of thoracic nerves, 5 pairs of lumbar nerves, 5 pairs of sacral nerves and 1 pair of coccygeal nerve.

Diseases:

Degenerative nerve diseases affect many of your body’s activities, such as balance, movements, talking, breathing and heart function,  degenerative nerve disease includes Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal muscular atrophy, bell’s palsy, cerebral palsy, motor neuron disease is a progressive degenerative disease of the motor system causing muscle weakness and wasting, multiple sclerosis, myalgic encephalomyelitis,  neuralgia, neuritis and sciatica.

Interesting Facts:

Sound is generated in the larynx so talking is the function of larynx which is best used by the women. On average women say 7,000 words per day. Men manage just over 2000 words.

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