Printer Friendly
The Free Dictionary
989,911,396 visitors served.
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

nervous system

   Also found in: Medical, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
nervous system
n.
The system of cells, tissues, and organs that regulates the body's responses to internal and external stimuli. In vertebrates it consists of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, ganglia, and parts of the receptor and effector organs.

nervous system
Noun
the brain, spinal column, and nerves, which together control thought, feeling, and movement See neuron

nervous system  (nûrvs)
The system of neurons and tissues that regulates the actions and responses of vertebrates and many invertebrates. The nervous system of vertebrates is a complex information-processing system that consists mainly of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral and autonomic nerves. It receives chemical information from hormones in the circulating blood and can also regulate secretions of the endocrine system by the action of neurohormones. The nervous systems of invertebrates vary from a simple network of nerves to a complex nerve network under the control of a primitive brain. See also autonomic nervous systemcentral nervous systemperipheral nervous system
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.nervous systemnervous system - the sensory and control apparatus consisting of a network of nerve cells
body, organic structure, physical structure - the entire structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being); "he felt as if his whole body were on fire"
system - a group of physiologically or anatomically related organs or parts; "the body has a system of organs for digestion"
nerve tissue, nervous tissue - tissue composed of neurons
ganglion - an encapsulated neural structure consisting of a collection of cell bodies or neurons
nerve cell, neuron - a cell that is specialized to conduct nerve impulses
fasciculus, fiber bundle, fibre bundle, fascicle - a bundle of fibers (especially nerve fibers)
central nervous system, CNS, systema nervosum centrale - the portion of the vertebrate nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord
neural net, neural network - any network of neurons or nuclei that function together to perform some function in the body
peripheral nervous system, systema nervosum periphericum - the section of the nervous system lying outside the brain and spinal cord
ANS, autonomic nervous system - the part of the nervous system of vertebrates that controls involuntary actions of the smooth muscles and heart and glands
sympathetic nervous system - originates in the thoracic regions of the spinal cord; opposes physiological effects of the parasympathetic: reduces digestive secretions; speeds the heart; contracts blood vessels
parasympathetic, parasympathetic nervous system - originates in the brain stem and lower part of the spinal cord; opposes physiological effects of the sympathetic nervous system: stimulates digestive secretions; slows the heart; constricts the pupils; dilates blood vessels
Translations
German nervous system nervous nNervensystem nt

?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
The physiologist can discover that both depend upon the nervous system, and he may find that the movements which we call voluntary depend upon higher centres in the brain than those that are reflex.
And is it quite incomprehensible that her nervous system should suffer accordingly, at a very critical period of her life?
Woodhouse's mind, or any wonderful change of his nervous system, but by the operation of the same system in another way.
 
Dictionary/thesaurus browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2008 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.