Types of nerves in the body and their functions

Nerves or the nervous system is the delicate system that connects the body as a whole, this system has many health benefits and functions within the human body and is considered one of the most important organs and systems of the body, and given this importance, let us explain to you the most important and prominent information and mysteries about this important organ in the human body and its most important functions and diseases that may affect him, follow this article with us.

What are nerves?

Nerves are parts that form together the nervous system inside the body, mostly similar to the main cable in the body, as it communicates various information and messages in the form of nerve impulses from one part to another within the body in an accurate and sensual way, and for this it is considered the controller and coordinator between the various organs and parts of the body .

The shape and composition of nerves in the body

They are shiny white bundles made up of fibers that are very similar in composition. Together they are part of the nervous system, as these bundles wrap around fat and tissues in different parts of the body.

The nervous system in the body is divided into two parts, namely:

Central Nervous System – CNS

This device is the command center of the body. This device consists of the brain and spinal cord, and is protected by other parts of the body, where the skull protects the brain and the spine protects the spinal cord.

Peripheral nervous system – PNS

They are the nerve parts branching from the central nervous system, and they are bundles that transmit signals. The peripheral nervous system is divided into two types:

1- Sensory fibers

They are also called afferent fibers, and their mission is to transmit information from inside and outside the body. These fibers are divided into two groups, somatic and visceral, as follows:

  • The somatic junction group is responsible for conducting signals from outside the body, or signals that result from the movement of joints and muscles, known as sensory fibers.
  • Visceral connections group, this group sends messages and signals between the internal organs of the body. These impulses lead to the reflexive control of these organs.

2- Motor fibers

It is also called the efferent fibers, which is the group responsible for receiving and receiving signals from the central nervous system, in order to perform some actions or reactions. Some of these responses are voluntary, such as moving your arm or foot, and some are involuntary, such as muscle contraction and other involuntary reactions.

Types of nerves in the body

The nerves of the body are divided into more than one type according to their location, and it is as follows.

1- Cerebral nerves

They are located in the brain and are known as the cranial nerves. They are considered parts of the peripheral nervous system and are made up of 12 pairs. This type of nerve may have motor functions, sensory functions, or both, such as:

  • olfactory nerve, It is responsible for the sense of smell, it has sensory functions because it transmits the smell from the receptor to the brain.
  • The oculomotor nerveThis nerve has motor functions, as it controls eye movements.
  • facial nerve, This nerve is responsible for motor and sensory functions together, because it transmits sensations, for example, when tasting with the tongue, and at the same time controls the movements of the facial muscles.

These cranial nerves originate inside the brain, but travel from it to the outside and branch out in the head, neck, and face. Except for the vagus or vagus nerve, which is the longest brain nerve in the body and is associated with different parts and regions of the body.

2- Spinal nerves

It is expressed in the spinal nerves, and it is also one of the parts of the peripheral nervous system, branching from the spinal cord located in the spine, and consisting of 31 pairs of spinal nerves, these pairs are grouped according to the region they are associated with in the spine.

These nerves have motor and sensory functions as well, and through them sensory signals and information can be sent to the central nervous system, and they can also receive orders from the central nervous system and transmit them to the rest of the parts and surroundings of the body.

nerve function in the body

There are many essential functions for it and the nervous system as a whole in the human body, and the functions of the nervous system can be divided into the following:

  • The nervous system not only sends and receives signals, but also processes these electrical signals sent to it into chemical signals at the end of the axon of each cell, after which the nervous system releases neurotransmitters, which are molecules that bridge the “synapse” gaps between the cell axis nerve and between the dendrites of the following cell.
  • When the neurotransmitters bind to the next cell, the chemical signals sent are transformed into electrical signals again which travel along the axon of the cell to transmit the signals.
  • Sensory nerves carry information from receptors and send it to the central nervous system to process the information received. As for the motor nerves, they transmit signals and information from the central nervous system to the muscles.

Neuropathy

In the event of any damage to the nerves of the body or a defect in the correct transmission of signals, neurological disorders occur in the body, and the condition may develop for some diseases and health problems, including:

And other neurological problems, these disorders affect the body clearly and explicitly, as these disorders lead to the occurrence of:

  • the pain.
  • Sensory changes in the sense centers.
  • changes in the senses
  • muscle imbalance
  • stuttering.
  • Vertigo.
  • sleep problems
  • mental disabilities.
  • blood vessel problems;

How to keep nerves healthy

There are some factors and steps that can improve the health of the nervous system within the human body, including:

  • Take enough sleep and rest, especially to relax your mind.
  • Follow useful, healthy and balanced diets, such as diets rich in omega 3, fatty fish, mackerel, salmon, and others.
  • Getting rid of tension and stress.
  • Do regular exercise.
  • Spending time with people close to you to feel comfortable and loved, such as family, friends, and life partners, as this enhances your mood and nerves.
  • Do yoga and other meditative activities.

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