Watch: [Understanding Your Body] Nervous System

⭐English subtitles available⭐

 

 

You may have experienced swiftly catching a glass falling from the dining table

or swatting a mosquito buzzing near your ear with your palm

 

During such moments, our eyes and ears rapidly transmit information to the brain to assess the danger,

which then commands the peripheral nerves to activate the muscles.

 

In this way, our body movements result from those commands

and signals transmitted through the nervous system.

 

Our nervous system forms an intricate network, resembling a densely woven web.

 

The nervous system can be divided into the central nervous system (CNS)

and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

 

The CNS, composed of the brain and spinal cord, serves as a central processing unit

that collects, integrates, and coordinates neural information from various sensory organs in the body.

 

The PNS, comprising cranial and spinal nerves, functions as a communication network,

transmitting stimuli and responses as electrical signals between the organs.

 

Among them, cranial nerves branch out from the brain

and act on various facial sensations and movements,

such as smell, vision, hearing, facial movements, and taste.

 

The spinal cord is a crucial nerve transmission pathway,

connecting the brain and peripheral nerves

and overseeing the entire body except some facial and neck areas.

 

The spinal cord is a long, rod-shaped central nerve that connected to the medulla,

the lower part of the brain.

The spinal nerves, which branch from the spinal cord, consist of 31 pairs,

including 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 nerves.

These nerves pass through openings in the vertebrae and extend throughout the body.

 

Upon closer examination of the spinal nerves, they can be divided into dorsal and ventral parts.

The dorsal part transmits information collected from the periphery to the brain,

while the ventral part carries information from the brain to the periphery.

 

While most motor commands originate in the brain,

the spinal cord can also act as a central hub, issuing motor commands in some cases.

 

Actions such as the leg jerking up when the knee is tapped with a rubber mallet

or instinctively pulling away from something hot

are reflex actions that occur with the spinal cord acting as the central hub.

 

When there is a malfunction in the nerves,

the affected organ may fail to function properly and, in some cases, may cause pain.

 

If pathological changes occur in the trigeminal nerve,

it can cause abnormal sensations in the face and weaken the muscles used for chewing.

 

Damage to any one of the spinal nerves can cause paralysis of the nerves below the site of injury.

 

For example, if there is nerve damage in the fourth cervical vertebra, or the neck area,

paralysis of the limbs below that point may occur.

If the nerve in the first lumbar vertebra, or the lower back area, is damaged,

it can result in paralysis of the lower limbs.

 

Prolonged neuropathy is known to be challenging to treat.

It is essential to regularly check for symptoms such as abnormal sensations, numbness, or pain.

Since trauma is a major cause of nerve damage,

it is advisable to avoid excessive exercise or intense movements.

 

If nerve damage is suspected,

it is crucial to seek medical attention from a specialist and receive appropriate treatment.