Nervous system

The nervous system is the master regulatory network that coordinates sensory input, motor output, and integrative functions throughout the body. It ensures communication between the internal and external environments and is fundamental to the survival, behavior, and homeostatic regulation of all vertebrate species. The nervous system is structurally divided into the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system, each with distinct yet interdependent roles.

The central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain and spinal cord. It is the site of higher processing, voluntary motor control, reflex activity, and autonomic regulation.

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes all nervous tissue located outside the CNS, such as cranial nerves, spinal nerves, ganglia, and nerve plexuses. It transmits sensory data from peripheral receptors to the CNS and conveys motor commands to skeletal and visceral effectors. Functionally, the nervous system is also divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

The nervous system develops from the ectodermal layer of the embryo, with neural induction leading to the formation of the neural tube (precursor of the CNS) and neural crest cells, which give rise to many PNS components. Structurally and functionally, it is highly specialized and adapted across species to support various sensory, locomotor, and behavioral capabilities. In veterinary medicine, detailed knowledge of the nervous system is critical for diagnosing neurological disorders, performing surgical interventions, and managing systemic disease processes.