Central Nervous System and Endocrine Functions Explained

The Central Nervous System

The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. It is responsible for receiving and processing information to control body functions.

The Encephalon

Housed in the cranium, the encephalon comprises the brain, cerebellum, and medulla.

• Brain: The outermost part is formed by gray matter. The cerebral cortex receives information from sense organs and develops response orders. The innermost zone consists of white matter.
• Cerebellum: Coordinates movements, such as walking or manipulating instruments, and allows us to maintain balance.
• Medulla: Controls important body functions automatically.

The Spinal Cord

The outermost part consists of white matter, while the innermost part is gray matter. It serves as a neural pathway through which messages ascend to the brain and orders descend to other organs.

The Peripheral Nervous System

The peripheral nervous system is a collection of nerves that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body. Its function is to transmit information to the central nervous system and deliver response orders to the effector organs.

Neuron Structure

Neurons consist of two distinct parts:

• Soma: Contains the nucleus and most of the cytoplasm.
• Extensions: Includes dendrites (short and branched, used to interconnect with other neurons) and the axon (a long, unbranched elongation, except at its end).

Hormones of the Endocrine System

• Pituitary Gland:
  • Somatotropic: Stimulates body growth.
  • Thyrotroph: Stimulates thyroid secretion.
  • ACTH: Stimulates adrenal gland secretion.
  • Gonadotroph: Regulates sex gland activity.
  • Lactotroph: Stimulates milk secretion in women.
• Thyroid: Thyroxine stimulates cellular chemical activity.
• Adrenal Glands: Adrenaline stimulates heart rate and breathing; Cortisone stimulates glucose synthesis and fat destruction.
• Pancreas: Insulin reduces blood glucose; Glucagon increases blood glucose.
• Testicles: Testosterone regulates male sexual organ function.
• Ovaries: Progesterone and estradiol regulate female sexual organ development and prepare the body for pregnancy.