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Having outlined aspects of the ‘wiring’ of small clusters of cells in the NS, we need to consider how the 86 or so billion cells of the NS are organized into functional subsystems (Figure 2.4). This diagram divides the highly complex system into a framework of functional domains.

The command and control centre at the ‘top’ of the NS is the central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain and spinal cord. Decisions made in the CNS are communicated via the peripheral NS, the cranial and spinal nerves, to the motor (effector) division of the NS. Communication back to the CNS is conducted by the sensory (afferent) division. There are two branches of the efferent division, the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which deals with cardiac muscles, smooth muscles and glands, and the somatic nervous system, which deals with skeletal muscular actions (speech and behaviour).

Figure 2.4 Organizational framework of the nervous system