Nervous system

Nervous system
The nervous system is the body tissue that records and distributes information in the body using electrical and chemical transmission. It has two parts. The "central" nervous system is comprised of the brain and spinal cord. The "peripheral" nervous system is the nerve tissue that transmits sensation and motor information back and forth from the body to the central nervous system.

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nervous system n the bodily system that in vertebrates is made up of the brain and spinal cord, nerves, ganglia, and parts of the receptor organs and that receives and interprets stimuli and transmits impulses to the effector organs see AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

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the vast network of cells specialized to carry information (in the form of nerve impulse) to and from all parts of the body in order to bring about bodily activity. The brain and spinal cord together form the central nervous system; the remaining nervous tissue is known as the peripheral nervous system and includes the autonomic nervous system, which is itself divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The basic functional unit of the nervous system is the neurone (nerve cell).

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the organ system which, along with the endocrine system, correlates the adjustments and reactions of an organism to internal and environmental conditions. It comprises the central and peripheral nervous systems: the former is composed of the brain and spinal cord, and the latter includes all the other neural elements. Called also systema nervosum [TA]. See also central nervous s., peripheral nervous s., and autonomic nervous s.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • nervous system — n. all the nerve cells and nervous tissues in an organism, including, in the vertebrates, the brain, spinal cord, ganglia, nerves, and nerve centers: it coordinates and controls responses to stimuli and conditions behavior and consciousness …   English World dictionary

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  • Nervous system — Nerve redirects here. For other uses, see Nerve (disambiguation). This article is about the nervous system. For parts of the nervous system commonly called nerves, see Peripheral nerve. Nervous system The Human N …   Wikipedia

  • nervous system — Anat., Zool. 1. the system of nerves and nerve centers in an animal or human, including the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and ganglia. 2. a particular part of this system. Cf. autonomic nervous system, central nervous system, peripheral nervous… …   Universalium

  • nervous system — noun the sensory and control apparatus consisting of a network of nerve cells (Freq. 2) • Syn: ↑systema nervosum • Hypernyms: ↑system • Hyponyms: ↑sympathetic nervous system, ↑parasympathetic nervous system …   Useful english dictionary

  • nervous system — /ˈnɜvəs sɪstəm/ (say nervuhs sistuhm) noun the system of nerves and nerve centres in an animal, comprising two major parts, the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. See central nervous system, peripheral nervous system,… …  

  • nervous system — the vast network of cells specialized to carry information (in the form of nerve impulses) to and from all parts of the body in order to bring about bodily activity. The brain and spinal cord together form the central nervous system; the… …   The new mediacal dictionary

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