Organisation of the Nervous System

What the page covers

This unit sits in the Neuroanatomy strand of Neuroscience. It is about how the nervous system is divided and how its parts fit together. The mind maps start with the basics: the central and peripheral nervous systems, sensory and motor divisions, somatic and autonomic branches. Others go deeper into the brain, the brainstem, the cerebellum and the lobes.

Where to start

Begin with the overview maps. The mind maps called NERVOUS SYSTEM and The Nervous System lay out the main divisions in a branching layout that is easy to scan. Then open the Neuroglia map, which names astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, ependymal cells, satellite cells and Schwann cells. After that, move to the brain: the note called The Brain - created from Mind Map lists the forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain, the limbic system and the four lobes.

Using quizzes and maps together

1. Read a map to see the structure.
2. Take a quiz without looking back.
3. Note which questions you missed.
4. Return to the map and fill those branches in.

The quiz Biopsych Test 1 asks about drugs that act on neurotransmitters and what a glutamate agonist does to action potentials. The quiz on what percentage of your brain you use asks about the isoelectric state, brain energy use and sparse coding. Both suit you once you have the basic divisions in mind.

Flashcards for recall

Flashcard decks work well for terms you need to recall exactly. The deck Exam 4: Blood Supply, Ventricles & CSF asks where the major vessels supplying the brain are and which arteries supply it. Other decks cover the telencephalon, the diencephalon, the brainstem and cranial nerves, and glia. Teachers can pick a map, quiz or deck to set alongside a lecture.

Next step

Pick one overview map, try a quiz on the same topic, and then make your own maps and flashcards for the parts you find hardest.