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How the Nervous System Works

Tap a term to see its role in the nervous system.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Made up of the brain and spinal cord, this is the body's primary control center, responsible for processing information and coordinating the overall response.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The network of nerves extending outward from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body, carrying sensory information inward and motor commands outward.

Neurons

The specialized cells that form the basic functional unit of the nervous system, transmitting electrical and chemical signals both to each other and to other parts of the body.

Synapses

The tiny gaps between neurons where signals are passed from one neuron to the next, typically using chemical messengers called neurotransmitters to bridge the gap.

Somatic vs. Autonomic Nervous System

The somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements, like walking or talking, while the autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate and digestion.

The Reflex Arc

A rapid, automatic response to a stimulus, such as pulling a hand away from something hot, that bypasses the brain entirely and is processed directly by the spinal cord for a faster reaction time.

A communication network of staggering scale

This page is for general educational information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The human brain alone is estimated to contain roughly 86 billion neurons, each capable of connecting to thousands of others, forming a communication network of such complexity that it remains one of the most actively studied areas of modern science.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does pulling your hand away from something hot happen before you consciously feel the pain?

This is a reflex response, processed directly by the spinal cord without first traveling all the way to the brain, allowing the body to react and protect itself faster than it would if it had to wait for the brain to consciously process the sensation first.

Can damaged neurons regenerate?

Neurons in the peripheral nervous system have some limited capacity to regenerate after injury, but neurons within the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) generally have very limited regenerative capacity, which is why injuries to the brain or spinal cord tend to be more permanent.