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CNS is an abbreviation of the name of the central nervous system. It is our body’s command center. The CNS is responsible for the proper functioning and all interactions between humans and the environment. It is made up of the brain and spinal cord with all its branches. The CNS is made entirely of gray and white matter.
The CNS is the coordination center that makes all important decisions based on information, that is, input signals sent by the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system then transmits instructions, i.e. outputs, to the peripheral system. Check how the CNS is built.
CNS – structure
The anatomical structure of the CNS includes two basic structures, i.e. the brain and the spinal cord:
- brain – located in the cavity of the skull. The brain consists of two folded hemispheres. In its structure, the following should be distinguished: forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain. In addition, the brain is divided into the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes that perform different functions;
- spinal cord – located in the spinal canal. CNS is located in the so-called the meninges, which are responsible for isolating the spinal cord and the brain from the walls of both the spinal canal and the skull. The space between the meninges and nervous tissue fills the cerebrospinal fluid. It is designed to protect against shocks, properly nourish and remove metabolic products.
CNS – functions
The task of the CNS is adequate innervation and coordination of basic life functions. However, each of the elements that make up the CNS has its own individual functions:
- brainstem – centers located in the brainstem correspond, inter alia, to for breathing, heart rate, eyesight and hearing, states of alertness and consciousness, sucking, swallowing, sneezing or blinking reflexes;
- cerebellum – is responsible for maintaining human balance and vertical posture. The cerebellum is also responsible for proper muscle tone. It is also responsible for proper coordination, i.e. proper muscle work and precise body movements;
- spinal cord – pairs of nerves departing from the spinal cord innervate every muscle in the human body. The core is responsible for the transmission of stimuli and nerve impulses. Therefore, it is responsible for the proper innervation of muscles, skin, etc .;
- lobes of the brain – depending on the lobe of the brain, it is responsible for other functions:
- the frontal lobe corresponds, inter alia, to for conscious thinking and identity, attention, emotional control, appropriate choice of words, focus on action;
- parietal lobe – responsible for orientation in space and memory, understanding of symbolic language, abstract concepts, and geometry. The largest part of it is related to sensory impressions, the integration of movement and sight, as well as feeling and sight;
- occipital lobe – responsible for the sense of sight. Thanks to him, a person recognizes colors, color depth and shapes, and visual associations are possible;
- temporal lobe – is responsible for hearing. It allows you to remember the most important information during new situations. They are probably necessary for communication with other people, because Wernicki’s centers are located in this patch, which make it possible to understand spoken words.
- the frontal lobe corresponds, inter alia, to for conscious thinking and identity, attention, emotional control, appropriate choice of words, focus on action;
- parietal lobe – responsible for orientation in space and memory, understanding of symbolic language, abstract concepts, and geometry. The largest part of it is related to sensory impressions, the integration of movement and sight, as well as feeling and sight;
- occipital lobe – responsible for the sense of sight. Thanks to him, a person recognizes colors, color depth and shapes, and visual associations are possible;
- temporal lobe – is responsible for hearing. It allows you to remember the most important information during new situations. They are probably necessary for communication with other people, because Wernicki’s centers are located in this patch, which make it possible to understand spoken words.