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CoursesPhysiologyNervous systemOverview of the nervous systemFunctional divisions of the nervous system

CoursesPhysiologyNervous systemOverview of the nervous systemFunctional divisions of the nervous system

Functional divisions of the nervous system

Learning objectives

After completing this study unit you will be able to:

Revise the structural divisions of the nervous system.
Understand the major differences between the functional divisions of the nervous system.
Learn about the functional differences between the somatic and visceral nervous systems.

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The nervous system can be categorized according to two main classifications: structural and functional (i.e., anatomical and physiological).

The structural classification of the nervous system describes the organization and different parts of the nervous system based on their physical location/anatomy and arrangement. Its primary divisions are the:

Central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord;
Peripheral nervous system (PNS), which includes all the nervous tissue outside of the CNS.

Regarding the functional classification of the nervous system, three primary divisions are considered:

Sensation (afferent/sensory nervous system), i.e., receiving and transmission of information about the state of the body and the environment around it;
Integration i.e. processing and interpretation of sensory information and other contextual inputs related to physiological/emotional state, memories etc.;
Response (efferent/motor nervous system), i.e. reactions elicited according to the information received and contextual inputs.

Sensation and response can also be subclassified into somatic and visceral nervous systems, according to the location of their receptors and effectors. The somatic nervous system largely concerns input and output related to bones, joints, skeletal muscle and skin, while the visceral nervous system concerns neural signals passing to and from internal organs. In addition to somatic and visceral, the sensory nervous system also includes the special sensory division, which transmits specialized information about the senses of taste, smell and sight, hearing and balance. The efferent visceral nervous, or autonomic nervous system, is further subdivided into sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.

Learn more about the functional divisions of the nervous system in the video below.

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Structural divisions of the nervous system

Functional divisions of the nervous system

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Take the following quiz to test what you already know about the functional divisions of the nervous system.

Summary

Key points about the functional divisions of the nervous system
Afferent/sensory nervous system (sensation)	When environmental stimuli activate sensory receptors, the information is transduced and transmitted to the central nervous system
Somatic sensory system	Sensory information from bones, joints, skeletal muscle, skin, etc
Visceral sensory system	Sensory information from internal organs
Special sensory system	Sensory information about special senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, balance)
Integrative processes (integration)	Processing and combining of sensory information to produce an appropriate motor response
Lower order integrative processes	Integrate sensory information useful for balance, movement coordination, regulation of basic bodily functions and emotional responses
Higher order integrative processes	Integrate sensory information useful for critical thinking, decision making, memory and executive function
Efferent/motor nervous system (response)	Transmits motor information from the central nervous system to target structures (effectors)
Somatic motor system	Controls skeletal muscle; ‘voluntary’ control
Autonomic (visceral) motor system	Controls internal organs (inc. cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, glands); ‘involuntary’ control; further divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic motor systems

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