nervous system

American  

[nur-vuhs sis-tuhm] / ˈnɜr vəs ˌsɪs təm /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

1. the system of nerves and nerve centers in an animal or human, including the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and ganglia.

2. a particular part of this system.

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nervous system British  

noun

1. the sensory and control apparatus of all multicellular animals above the level of sponges, consisting of a network of nerve cells See neurone See also central nervous system

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nervous system Scientific  

/ nûr′vəs /

1. 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.

2. See also autonomic nervous system central nervous system peripheral nervous system

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nervous system Cultural  

1. The system in the body that controls internal functions of the body and receives, interprets, and responds to stimuli. The nervous system is made up of the brain, the spinal cord, the nerves, and the sense organs, such as the eye and ear.

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Etymology

Origin of nervous system

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

Canine distemper virus is a highly contagious disease that attacks the host's respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems.

From BBC

“We really wanted to focus on calming people’s nervous systems down,” says Jeremy Hoffmann, the founder and CEO of Quantum Wellness Spa.

From Los Angeles Times

Such genetic damage may increase the likelihood of cancers affecting the central nervous system, digestive tract, and blood-forming tissues.

From Science Daily

They also became the first to incorporate microglia -- immune cells found in the central nervous system -- to better replicate the inflammatory response that follows spinal cord injury.

From Science Daily

This powerful chemical compound acts on nicotinic receptors in the nervous system, according to Johnson.

From BBC