The Brain and Nerve System

Electrical System of the Body
Central Nerve System
Peripheral Nerve System

The Central Nerve System

The Brain
The Brain Stem
The Spinal Chord

The Peripheral Nerve System

Twelve pairs of Cranial Nerves (which emerge from the brain)
31 pairs of Spinal Nerves (which emerge form the spinal chord)

The Brain

Forebrain
Brain Stem

The Brain Stem

Mid Brain
Hind Brain

Forebrain

Cerebral Hemispheres (2)
The Corpus Callosum
The Pineal Gland
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Pituitary Gland
Brain Stem
Spinal Chord

Cerebral Hemispheres

Receive Sensations
Involved in Perception
Thinking
Intelligence
Memory
Decision Making
Movement of Body Parts

Right Cerebral Hemisphere

Inner Perceptions
Creativity
Intuitive Processes
Art, Music
Spatial Perception

Left Cerebral Hemisphere

Outward Perceptions
Logical linear thinking

The Corpus Callosum

Band of Nerve Tracts (connecting the right and left brain together enabling the two hemispheres to communicate)
The Corpus Callosum, the right brain and the left brain also control pineal gland.

The Pineal Gland

Endocrine Gland
Secretes a Hormone (that stimulates the hypothalamus)

Thalamus

Relays Information and Instructions (back and forth from the cerebrum and the senses)

The Hypothalamus

Coordinates the central nervous system
Controls sleep, body temperature, appetite and other life processes in the body
Secretes hormones that stimulate the pituitary gland (which is attached to the lower part of the hypothalamus)

The Pituitary Gland

Endocrine Gland (coordinates all the other endocrine glands)

The Brain Stem

Mid brain
Hind brain

The Mid Brain

Highest Part of the Brain Stem
Relay Station (for messages to and from the brain)

The Hind Brain

The Cerebellum
The Pons
Medulla Oblongata

The Cerebellum

Maintains Posture
Coordinates Complex Body Movements

The Pons

Affects Breathing
Conducts Information (back and forth between areas of the brain and the body)

The Medulla Oblongata

Communicates Information (between the higher brain centers and the spinal chord)
Regulates the Rate and Strength of the Heart Beat
Regulates the Rate of Respiration
Regulates the Diameter of the Blood Vessels

The Spinal Chord

Contains Nerve Circuits
Conveys Information to and from the Brain. The spinal chord is located in the

Spinal Cavity

Contains the Spinal Chord (we call this the vertebral column) Inside the spinal cavity is
Inside the Spinal Cavity is Cerebrospinal Fluid

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Circulates in the Spinal Cavity (in and around the brain as well)

The Peripheral Nerve System

12 Pairs of Cranial Nerves (associated with the Five Senses and their related functions)
31 Pairs of Spinal Nerves (associated with the different regions of the Vertebral Column carring sensory and motor information to and from glands, organs and muscles to the spinal chord)

Of the 12 Pairs of Cranial Nerves 2 Pairs emerge from the brain (10 pairs emerge from the brain stem)
The 31 Pairs of Spinal Nerves emerge from the five regions of the vertebral column:

Cervical- 8 pairs of cervical spinal nerves- carries impulses to and from areas of the head, neck, chest, shoulders, arms and hands. (reflections of The Eightfold Path)

Thoracic- 12 pairs of thoracic spinal nerves- carries impulses to and from the areas of the chest and ribs. (Reflections of the 12 anatomical aspects of the Transcendental Creator)

Lumbar- 5 pairs of lumbar spinal nerves- carries impulses to and from the areas of the abdomen, pelvic and thighs. (reflections of the Body, Mind, Soul, Spirit and Will)

Sacral- 5 pairs of sacral spinal nerves- carries impulses to and from the areas of the thighs legs and feet. (Reflections of the Body, Mind, Soul, Spirit and Will)

Coccyx- one pair of coccygeal spinal nerves- carries impulses to an from the area around the base of the spine. (Reflections of the One Creator of the Higher Self)


The Central Nerve System/Peripheral Nerve Systems are divided into two systems according to function:

The Somatic Nerve System

Voluntary Control System (controls things like voluntary muscle movement of locomotion, etc.)

The Autonomic Nerve System

Involuntary Control System (controls things like digestion and other internal bodily functions)

Some organs are controlled by both voluntary and involuntary nerve functions.
Breathing which is involuntary most of the time can also be controlled voluntarily.