Anatomy and Physiology Nerves

Part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions and regulates the action of the smooth muscles, glands, blood vessels, heart, and breathing

Controls voluntary muscle actions and consists of the brain, spinal cord, spinal nerves, and cranial nerves; it allows you to taste, smell, see, hear, think, breathe, move, run, sleep, sing, and write

system of the nerves connecting the peripheal (outer) parts of the body to the central nervous system; has both sensory and motor nerves; carries impulses to and from the central nervous system

One of the body's most complex organs, controls the body's functions , protected by the cranium

Originates in the brain and follows the spinal column , there are 31 pairs of spinal nerves that extend from the spinal cord to the muscles, organs, and skin

whitish bundles of nerve fibers that transmit impulses, send branches to all parts of the body

the special kind of cell in nerves are called

also known as "afferent nerves" they carry messeges from the sense organs to the brain and spinal cord. Nerve endings (receptors) are located close to the skin's surface and pass impulses to the brain and back through the motor nerves to the muscles which causes movement

"efferent nerves" they carry impulses from the brain to the muscles or glands, these produce movement

The simplest form of nervous activity that inclues a sensory and motor nere is called a ---- , which is a reaction to an outside stimulus