Neuroanatomical

Neuroanatomy is the study of the structure and organization of the nervous system. In contrast to systems biology, which aims to look at the larger picture of how these structures interact, neuroanatomy focuses primarily on the microscopic aspects of the brain and the rest of the nervous system.

Overview

The human nervous system is divided into two parts: the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which consists of nerves and ganglia. Neuroanatomy further divides these structures into regions and subregions to facilitate the study of their functions and interactions.

Central Nervous System

The central nervous system is the main control center of the body. It is responsible for integrating sensory information and responding accordingly. It consists of the brain and spinal cord.

Brain

The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. It is divided into several regions, each with specific functions. These include the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.

Cerebrum

The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It is divided into two hemispheres and is responsible for higher brain functions such as thought, emotion, and voluntary movement.

Cerebellum

The cerebellum is located at the back of the brain, below the cerebrum. It plays a key role in motor control and balance.

Brainstem

The brainstem connects the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal cord. It controls many basic functions, including heart rate, breathing, and sleep.

Spinal Cord

The spinal cord is a long, thin bundle of nervous tissue that extends from the brainstem to the lower back. It carries signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

Peripheral Nervous System

The peripheral nervous system consists of all the nerves outside of the central nervous system. It is divided into the somatic nervous system, which controls voluntary muscle movement, and the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions such as heart rate and digestion.

See Also

• Neuroscience
• Neurophysiology
• Neurobiology