Nerves: Types, Nervous System, Neurons, Nerves Disorders

Nerves are the cable-like bundle of fibers that carry out nerve impulses to convey information from one part of the body to another. They are responsible for controlling and coordinating our movements. In this article, we will discuss nerves, the nervous system, the structure of nerves, types of nerves and nervous disorders.

Nerves

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A cable-like bundle of fibers within the body of highly complex organisms that carry out nerve impulses to convey information from one part of the body to another is called nerves. Nerve impulses are the ways in which nerve cells communicate with one another. These are like electrical signals. 

A typical nerve is a complex formation that is wrapped around layers of tissues and fat. It is made up of bundles of fibers that stretch throughout the body and facilitate communication between CNS- Central nervous system or Central nerves and PNS- Peripheral nervous system or peripheral nerves.

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Structure of Nerves

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The Peripheral Nervous systems and Central Nervous systems are the two subtypes of the Nervous system. The Nerves and the sensory organs make up the Peripheral Nervous System while the Brain and the Spinal Cord make up the Central nervous system.

The nerve is a cord-like structure and is enclosed in cable-like bundle fibers called Axons. The cord-like structure of the nerve makes it possible to transmit the electrochemical nerve impulses along each of the axons.

The axons have layers of connective tissues around them called the endoneurium. These Axons are bundled together into a group called Fascicles which are wrapped in a layer of connective tissue called the perineurium. The entire nerve again is enclosed in another protective layer of connective tissue called the epineurium.

The nerves are bundled together along with the blood vessels which provide essential nutrients and energy to the neurons.

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Types of Nerves

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There are three types of nerves in a body

1. Motor Nerves

Motor nerves are part of the Central nervous system. These form the Spinal cord and are responsible to send signals to different glands and muscles of the body. The information is sent from PNS to CNS.

Motor nerves are classified as Alpha, Beta, and Gamma on the basis of motor neuron subtype.

• Alpha motor neurons are in charge of the movements related to extrafusal skeleton system like the contraction of bones.
• Beta motor neurons take charge of movements in the intrafusal skeleton system.
• Gamma motor neurons keep the muscle and other spindle fibers in taut.

2. Sensory Nerves

Sensory nerves are the ones that send messages from the sense organs like the nose, tongue, etc. to the Brain and the Spinal Cord. Sensations like Touch, Hearing, Smell, Sight are controlled by the sensory neurons. Here, the electrochemical signal flows from PNS to CNS.

3. Mixed Nerves

Mixed Cranial nerves or the mixed nerves carry out the function of both Sensory and Motor nerves. They are responsible to carry electrical impulses from the Central Nervous System or the CNS to the muscles and the organs of the body.

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Function of Nervous System

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The nervous system performs major tasks of controlling, regulating and communicating in a body.

• The nervous system helps in controlling and maintaining the internal environment in the body like maintaining the body temperature.
• Programming and managing the spinal reflexes.
• It is the center of all mental activities like learning, memorizing, retaining and thought processes etc.
• It also regulates the voluntary control of movements.

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Function of Nerves

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Nerves are the main component of the nervous system and carry out the most complex functions of the body.

• Nerves carry out electrochemical impulses that are responsible to transmit information from one part of the body to another.
• They also carry out involuntary responses called reflexes.
• They are the major source and connection between the sensory organs and the Brain and the Spinal cord.
• They act as receptors and conveyers to the Mind and Spine.

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Nerves Disorders

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Nervous system and nerves involve everything that our body does from regulating breath to controlling the muscles and sensing heat and cold. Sometimes any complexities in the nerves or nervous system can lead to several diseases and complexities in the functioning of the body. 

Muscle weakness, Proprioception, poor reflex and directed movements are some of the common symptoms of Nerve Disorders.

Some common nerve disorders are-

• Vertigo
• Dysarthria
• Sleep Problems
• Numbness
• Pain 
• Muscle Malfunction
• Changes on Sensation
• Changes in Senses
• Mental Disability

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Things to Remember

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• Nervous System is the highly complex part of humans and animals that helps them to coordinate their actions and sensory information by transmitting signals.
• Nerves are a cable-like bundle of fibers within the body of highly complex organisms that carry out nerve impulses to convey information from one part of the body to another.
• There are three types of nerves- Motor Nerves, Sensory Nerves and Mixed Nerves.
• The two subtypes of the nervous system are Peripheral Nervous systems and Central Nervous systems.
• The neurons or the nerve cells are the fundamental unit of the nervous system and the Brain. 
• Neurons transmit the sensory inputs from the external world in the form of electrochemical signals to other nerve cells and the brain.
• The nervous system performs major tasks of controlling, regulating, and communicating in a body.

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