Diseases of the Nervous System...
This category generally deals with diseases related to the nervous system., such as:
- Meningitis; Encephalitis;
- Intracranial and intraspinal abscess and granuloma;
- Huntington's disease;
- Spinal muscular atrophy;
- Alzheimer's disease;
- Senile degeneration of brain;
- Degeneration of nervous system due to alcohol;
- Multiple sclerosis;
- Epilepsy;
- Migraine;
- Other headache syndromes;
- Transient cerebral ischaemic attacks;
- Sleep disorders;
- Sleep apnoea;
- Bell's palsy;
- Melkersson's syndrome;
- Guillain-Barré syndrome;
- Myasthenia gravis;
- Muscular dystrophy;
- Cerebral palsy;
- Hemiplegia;
- Other paralytic syndromes; etc.
The nervous system is a highly specialized network whose principal components are cells called neurons. Neurons are interconnected to each other in complex arrangements, and have the property of conducting, using electrochemical signals, a great variety of stimuli within the nervous tissue as well as from and towards most of the other tissues. Thus, neurons coordinate multiple functions in organisms.
Nervous systems are found in many multicellular animals but differ greatly in complexity between species.
The human nervous system can be observed with both gross anatomy, (which describes the parts that are large enough to be seen with the plain eye,) and microanatomy, (which describes the system at a cellular level.) At gross anatomy, the nervous system can be grouped in distinct organs, these being actually stations that the neural pathways cross through. Thus, with a didactical purpose, these organs, according to their location, can be divided in two parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The central nervous system (CNS) represents the largest part of the nervous system, including the brain and the spinal cord. The CNS is contained within the dorsal cavity, with the brain within the cranial cavity, and the spinal cord in the spinal cavity. The CNS is covered by the meninges. The skull also protects the brain, and the vertebrae protect the spinal cord. The nervous system can be connected into many systems that can function together.
Unlike the central nervous system, however, the PNS is not protected by bone, leaving it exposed to toxins and mechanical injuries. The peripheral nervous system is divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.
By function, the peripheral nervous system is divided into the somatic nervous system , autonomic nervous system. The somatic nervous system is responsible for coordinating the body movements, and for receiving external stimuli. This system regulates activities that are under conscious control. The automatic nervous system is split into the sympathetic division, parasympathetic division, and enteric division. The sympathetic nervous system responds to impending danger or stress, and is responsible for the increase of one's heartbeat and blood pressure, among other physiological changes, along with the sense of excitement one feels due to the increase of adrenaline in the system. The parasympathetic nervous system, on the other hand, is evident when a person is resting and feels relaxed, and is responsible for such things as the constriction of the pupil, the slowing of the heart, the dilation of the blood vessels, and the stimulation of the digestive and genitourinary systems. The role of the enteric nervous system is to manage every aspect of digestion, from the oesophagus to the stomach, small intestine, and colon.
As always, the articles in this category, along with the comments thereon and other elements, are intended to inform as well as generate interest in and interaction between individuals, their family, and/or support team.
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A comprehensive list of diseases of the Nervous System may be found at ICD-10 Chapter 6 Block G00-G99. ~
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