The nerve is a collection of nerve fibers with varying lengths and diameters enveloped in a unified sheath that is part of the peripheral nervous system.
Each nerve
has a different role, and the peripheral nervous system has many functions. Depending on the function of the stimuli they conduct, the following nerves are distinguished into three types:
Depending on where they leave the central nervous system, the following nerves are distinguished:
The human body has twelve pairs of cranial nerves that connect directly to the brain, bypassing the spinal cord. These nerves perform a range of functions, from sensory to motor activities. Most cranial nerves are named after the organs and tissues they supply.
The olfactory nerve, for instance, is responsible for transmitting information about odors perceived by the olfactory epithelium in the nose to the limbic centers of the brain through the olfactory bulbs and tracts. On the other hand, the optic nerve is a sensory one that transfers visual data from the eye's rod and cone cells to the brain's visual cortex. Notably, the optic chiasm forms when parts of the nerves from both eyes cross, and nerve fibers form bundles dubbed optic strands. With roughly one million sensory fibers, the cranial nerve transmits the most information.
In contrast, the oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves are mainly motor nerves that control all the nerves that move the eyeballs and eyelids. The oculomotor nerve, for example, regulates the pupil's constriction by the eyeball's iris muscles and changes the lens's shape via the ciliary muscle, facilitating accommodation.
The cranial nerves are crucial in the sensory and motor organism functions. One of the most important is the trigeminal nerve, partly sensory and mixed. The branches of this nerve receive signals from the eye, face, and teeth. The motor fibers in this bundle control the muscles involved in chewing, while the sensory fibers conduct impulses from the jaw area.
Another significant cranial nerve is the facial nerve, mixed in nature, with sensory bundles arising from the taste buds in the front two-thirds of the tongue. Motor fibers run to the facial muscles and the lacrimal and salivary glands. The vestibular-cochlear nerve is sensory. The vestibular part of the nerve receives signals from the inner ear informing about head position and related to balance. The cochlear part transmits signals from the ear related to sounds and their reception.
The lingual-pharyngeal and sublingual nerves, which are mixed in nature, are responsible for tongue movements and swallowing in the digestive system. The sensory fibers of these nerves transmit information about taste, touch, and temperature from the tongue and throat. The vagus nerve is the longest and most branched cranial nerve. It carries its sensory, motor, and autonomic fibers to the lower part of the head, throat, neck, chest, and abdominal cavity. It is responsible for many significant body functions, including breathing, swallowing, heart function, and the production of gastric juice.
Finally, the accessory nerve, mainly motor, supervises the action of muscles and movements of the head, neck, and shoulders. It also affects the throat and larynx muscles (those are used to swallow). The proper functioning of these nerves is essential for preserving the organism's homeostasis and guaranteeing its accurate functioning.
The spinal nerves are 31 pairs of spinal nerves that branch from the spinal cord and leave the central nervous system through the intervertebral foramina. A single nerve divides into many smaller branches, with dorsal branches supplying the posterior side of the body and ventral branches supplying the anterior and lateral surfaces of the body.
Branches from one nerve can connect with other nerves to form networks called plexuses, which are designed to send signals along secondary nerve branches to areas that perform complex functions or movements.
The spinal nerves have been divided by the structure of the spine. The spinal nerves that are situated peripherally are classified by specialists into various types.
The cervical nerves, consisting of eight pairs in the cervical spine, form two plexuses, namely, the cervical and brachial plexuses. These nerves travel through the chest, head, neck, shoulders, arms, forearms, hands, and the diaphragm.
The thoracic nerves, which are twelve pairs in the thoracic spine, connect with the intercostal muscles, located between the ribs, the deep back, and the abdominal muscles.
The lumbar nerves, consisting of five pairs in the lumbar spine, form the lumbar plexus, which supplies the lower part of the abdominal wall and parts of the thighs and shins.
The sacral nerves, which are six pairs located in the sacral spine, connect with the lumbar nerves and through the coccygeal plexus and send branches to the thighs, buttocks, muscles, and skin of the shins and feet, as well as the anus and genitals.
The cervical plexus mainly innervates the neck and partly the head, with the phrenic nerve being its longest branch. The following nerves branch from the brachial plexus to the upper limb: the ulnar nerve, the radial nerve, the median nerve, the axillary nerve, the musculocutaneous nerve and numerous medial cutaneous nerves of the arm and forearm.
Nerve damage may occur after numerous situations. Some of the most standard nerve damage conditions are mentioned below.
As individuals age, the speed at which neuron signals travel may diminish, leading to decreased strength and a slowing of reflexes. Besides, some people can experience a loss of sensation in their extremities, including fingers and toes. These changes are a natural part of the aging process and may impact an individual's ability to perform certain tasks or activities. It is important to be aware of these changes and to take appropriate measures to maintain one's overall health and well-being in later life.
The basal ganglia are in the brain and are responsible for controlling movement. These nerves produce a compound known as dopamine, which is significant in coordinating many functions, including executive function and motor control. Even though the specialists haven't found a clear cause yet, the basal ganglia may get damaged and begin to die in some situations. This results in Parkinson's disease as the loss of dopamine slowly impairs primary functions such as walking, speaking, and memory recall. These consequences are compounded by the loss of nerves accountable for norepinephrine production, an essential sympathetic nervous system compound that regulates heart rate and blood pressure.
Neurons are signaling agents in our bodies but do not function alone. Axons, which carry signals from the neuron's cell body, are covered with myelin sheaths. Oligodendrocytes produce them in the central nervous system, allowing myelin sheaths to protect and facilitate nerve conduction. In multiple sclerosis, an abnormal immune response in the central nervous system removes the myelin sheath and causes much of the nerve scarring (sclerosis) from which the disease originates.
Since the affected area is the peripheral nervous system, such neuropathies lead to loss of sensation and regulatory control of the limbs. They include loss of coordination, feeling in the fingers and toes, and lack of balance. The causes of peripheral neuropathy have not yet been fully understood. Still, scientists have determined that one of the fundamental causes is diabetes, which causes prolonged periods of high blood sugar levels.
A cerebrovascular accident, commonly known as a stroke, occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is either blocked or ruptured, leading to a sudden disruption of blood flow to the brain. The resultant deprivation of oxygen and nutrients to the affected brain area can cause irreversible damage, leading to the impairment of nerve function and communication. Depending on the severity of the stroke, the damage inflicted on the nervous system can range from mild to severe.
Nerves can be crushed, stretched, or severed in an accident. Car accidents and collapses are standard damages that can harm nerves in the whole organism.
If the nerve is squashed, it cannot get enough blood to play its role. Nerves may get compressed or trapped for many causes, e.g., overuse, a tumor, or structural problems such as sciatica.
Chemotherapy drugs, narcotics, alcohol abuse, and poisonous substances can cause peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage. People with kidney disease are at greater risk of damaging their nerves because their kidneys have difficulty filtering toxins.
Below are the most common general signs and symptoms of nervous system disorders. However, each individual may experience symptoms of nervous system disorders in different ways.
The most standard signs of nervous system conditions include:
Naturally, not all of them have to be related to nervous system diseases. Sometimes they are caused by diseases of other organs or deficiencies of certain nutrients, so it is worth consulting a doctor in case of repeated ailments.
Various tests and procedures are available to diagnose nervous system-related conditions. In addition to traditional X-rays, there is a specialized X-ray known as fluoroscopy, which examines the body in motion, such as blood flowing through arteries.
Other common neurological tests include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and electroencephalogram (EEG), which records continuous electrical activity in the brain. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a technique that calculates cell or tissue metabolism and brain activity to determine tumors or diseased tissue.
Lumbar puncture, also known as spinal tap, is another procedure that involves inserting a needle into the spinal canal to extract a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid, which is then examined for infections or other abnormalities.
The best way to deal with nervous system disorders is with the help of doctors. We don't always need the help of every type of specialist, but it's good to know who these specialists are and how they can help. Here is a list of some doctors who may be involved in the treatment of nervous system disorders:
As your nervous system plays a wide variety of vital roles, keeping it functioning well into your golden years is significant. Remember about a healthy lifestyle, especially:
Table of Contents
Neuropathy is a disease that influences nerves. Learn what are the symptoms and causes of neuropathy. Check out how it… read more »
Ataxia is a motor coordination issue when individuals struggle with exact movements, holding the correct posture, or having standard walking… read more »
Neuropathy is a disease of the peripheral nerves. Discover what are the most common neuropathy symptoms and ow to deal… read more »
Nerve damage, also known as neuropathy, could be a condition that influences the body's nervous framework. The nervous framework is a… read more »
The nervous system is divided into many parts, and each part has specific functions. Learn about the function and diseases… read more »
Nerve pain, which specialists refer to as neuropathic pain, maybe a complex and regularly troublesome condition emerging from harm to the nervous… read more »
Spondylosis is a degenerative change in the spine that usually occurs with age. Find out how to recognize the disease… read more »
A neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders of the nervous system. read more »
Allodynia is the painful sensation of stimuli that do not cause a pain reaction in healthy people. What are its… read more »
