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Anatomy & Physiology vocabulary · Nervous and Endocrine Systems

Nervous system

Meaning in anatomy & physiology, with examples

/ˈnɜːrvəs ˌsɪstəm/nounCore term

In anatomy & physiology, nervous system means: The network of the brain, spinal cord and nerves that receives information, processes it and controls the body's responses by sending electrical signals.

In Turkish: sinir sistemi

How it is used

Divided into the central nervous system (CNS: brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS: the nerves outside them). The autonomic nervous system controls automatic functions such as heart rate and digestion. CNS and PNS are used constantly in lectures.

Example sentences

  1. The central nervous system consists of the brain and the spinal cord.

  2. The sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system speeds up the heart.

Common collocations

  • central nervous system
  • peripheral nervous system
  • autonomic nervous system
  • sympathetic nervous system
  • brainThe organ inside the skull that controls thought, memory, movement, the senses and many automatic body functions. Its main parts are the cerebrum, the cerebellum and the brainstem.
  • spinal cordThe long bundle of nerve tissue that runs down from the brain inside the vertebral column. It carries signals between the brain and the body and controls simple reflexes.
  • nerveA cord-like bundle of nerve fibers (axons) that carries electrical signals between the brain or spinal cord and other parts of the body.
  • neuronA nerve cell: the basic unit of the nervous system that sends and receives electrical and chemical signals. It has a cell body, dendrites that receive signals and an axon that passes them on.
  • neuro-A word part from Greek meaning 'nerve' or 'nervous system'. It appears in neurology, neurotransmitter, neuroanatomy and, in a shorter form, in neuron.

More terms: Nervous and Endocrine Systems

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.