Nervous System

nerves that branch from the central nervous system including nerves of the brain (cranial nerves) and spinal cord (spinal nerves)

12 pairs of nerves arising from the brain

31 pairs of nerves arising from the spinal cord

nerves that conduct impluses from body parts and carry sensory information to the brain; also called afferent nerves

nerves that conduct motor impulses from the brain to muscles and glands; also called efferent nerves

nerves that carry involuntary impulses to smooth muscle, cardiac muscles and various glands

control center for the autonomic nervous system located below the thalamus (diencephalon)

division of the autonomic nervous system that is concerned primarily with preparing the body in stressful or emergency situations

division of the autonomic nervous system that is most active in ordinary conditions; it counterbalances the effects of the sympathetic system by restoring the body to a restful state after a stressful experience