Central Nervous System

The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord. This system is essentially the body's processing center. It is responsible for processing sensory information and sending out motor signals. It is also responsible for regulating most bodily functions including breathing, temperature, movements and even emotions.

Peripheral Nervous System

The peripheral nervous system includes any part of the nervous system that lies outside of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nerves relay information between the brain and the rest of the body. The peripheral nervous system consists of the autonomic and somatic nervous systems.

Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system controls unconscious processes. This system is made of two parts: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for initiating fight or flight response. While the parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to a state of rest.

Somatic Nervous System

The somatic nervous system, also called the voluntary nervous system, is the part of the peripheral nervous system associated with voluntary movement. The somatic nerves are responsible for sensory input and movement control. Sensory neurons carry information from the body to the central nervous system and motor neurons carry information from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles of the body.