How is cns protected from mechanical damage

How is the central nervous system protected from mechanical damage? Biology Coordination and Control Nerves and Hormones. Judy O. Jul 21, Related questions How do hormones differ from enzymes and neurotransmitters? What are hormones?

The cerebellum, under the cerebrum at the back of the brain, controls balance and complex actions like walking and talking. The brain stem connects the brain with the spinal cord.

It controls hunger and thirst and some of the most basic body functions, such as body temperature, blood pressure, and breathing. The brain is protected by the bones of the skull and by a covering of three thin membranes called meninges. The brain is also cushioned and protected by cerebrospinal fluid. This watery fluid is produced by special cells in the four hollow spaces in the brain, called ventricles. It flows through the ventricles and in spaces between the meninges.

Privacy Policy. Skip to main content. The Nervous System. Search for:. The Nervous System The nervous system is composed of the central nervous system brain and spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system nerves. Learning Objectives Summarize the nervous system. Key Takeaways Key Points The central nervous system consists of the brain, which controls complex body functions, and the spinal cord, which transmits signals from the brain to the rest of the body.

The brain and spinal cord are covered by three layers of meninges, or protective coverings: the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. Cerebrospinal fluid surrounds the brain, cushioning it and providing shock absorption to prevent damage.

The peripheral nervous system is made up of nerves that originate within the brain and spinal cord; it serves to relay information from the central nervous system to all parts of the body.

The autonomic system controls involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate, breathing, digestion, and blood vessel dilation. The spinal cord connects to the brain via the brain stem and then runs down through the spinal canal, located inside the vertebra. The spinal cord carries information from various parts of the body to and from the brain. In the case of some reflex movements, responses are controlled by spinal pathways without involvement from the brain. Neurons are the building blocks of the central nervous system.

Billions of these nerve cells can be found throughout the body and communicate with one another to produces physical responses and actions. Neurons are the body's information superhighway. An estimated 86 billion neurons can be found in the brain alone. Since the CNS is so important, it is protected by a number of structures. First, the entire CNS is enclosed in bone. The brain is protected by the skull, while the spinal cord is protected by the vertebra of the spinal column. The brain and spinal cord are both covered with a protective tissue known as meninges.

The entire CNS is also immersed in a substance known as cerebrospinal fluid, which forms a chemical environment to allow nerve fibers to transmit information effectively as well as offering yet another layer of protection from potential damage.

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Anatomy of the brain.