What are nerves?
Nerves are like cables that carry electrical impulses between your brain and the rest of your body. These impulses help you feel sensations and move your muscles. They also maintain certain autonomic functions like breathing, sweating or digesting food.
Nerve cells are also called neurons. Neurons are present all over your body, especially in your brain and spinal cord. Nerves, together with your brain and spinal cord, are the foundation of your nervous system. Most of the time when doctors use the term “nerve,” they’re referring to the part of your nervous system outside of your brain and spinal cord. This is called your peripheral nervous system.
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What are the types of nerves?
You have two main types of nerves:
- Sensory nerves carry signals to your brain to help you touch, taste, smell and see.
- Motor nerves carry signals to your muscles or glands to help you move and function.
You also have two main groups of nerves branching out from your brain and spinal cord:
- Cranial nerves: These 12 nerve pairs originate in your brain and extend through your face, head and neck. Cranial nerves can have sensory functions, motor functions or both. For example, cranial nerves help you make facial expressions, move your eyes and process smells.
- Spinal nerves: You have 31 pairs of spinal nerves branching out from your spinal cord. These nerves can provide sensory function, motor function or both. For example, spinal nerves may carry sensations from your joints and muscles to your spinal cord. Spinal nerves also control some of your reflexes or involuntary responses, such as pulling your hand away from a hot stove.
FAQs
You have two main types of nerves:
- Sensory nerves carry signals to your brain to help you touch, taste, smell and see.
- Motor nerves carry signals to your muscles or glands to help you move and function.
Nerves are the functional and structural units of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). They are composed of groups of individual specialized cells called neurons (or nerve cells), which transmit motor and sensory information back and forth between the PNS and central nervous system (CNS).
What is the funny mnemonic for the cranial nerves? ›
Cranial nerve mnemonics to remember the names of the nerves in order include: On old Olympus's towering top, a Finn and German viewed some hops. Ooh, ooh, ooh to touch and feel very good velvet. Such heaven!
What is the mnemonic for oh oh oh to touch and feel? ›
There are many mnemonics a person can use to remember the 12 cranial nerves. One example is: “Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Very Good Velvet — Ah, Heaven!”
What is the most important nerve in your body? ›
The vagus nerve represents the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system, which oversees a vast array of crucial bodily functions, including control of mood, immune response, digestion, and heart rate.
What is nerve pain called? ›
Nerve pain, also called neuralgia or neuropathic pain, occurs when a health condition affects the nerves that carry sensations to your brain. Nerve pain can feel different from other kinds of pain.
How to heal the nervous system? ›
Rebalancing your nervous system means getting back to a state where you feel calm and centered. You can try practicing deep breathing exercises, spending time in nature, or taking short breaks during the day. Regular sleep, a balanced diet, and talking to someone you trust can also help.
What controls the nerves in the body? ›
The brain is what controls all the body's functions. The spinal cord runs from the brain down through the back. It contains threadlike nerves that branch out to every organ and body part. This network of nerves relays messages back and forth from the brain to different parts of the body.
Which nerves are purely sensory? ›
Cranial nerves I, II, and VIII are considered purely afferent nerves since they conduct sensory information from the olfactory region, the retina of the eye, and the inner ear structures, respectively.
What are the 12 cranial nerves and functions? ›
12 cranial nerves list
| Cranial nerve 1 | Olfactory nerve (CN I) - sensory |
|---|
| Cranial nerve 2 | Optic nerve (CN II) - sensory |
| Cranial nerve 3 | Oculomotor nerve (CN III) - motor |
| Cranial nerve 4 | Trochlear nerve (CN IV) - motor |
| Cranial nerve 5 | Trigeminal nerve (CN V) - mixed |
7 more rowsThe mandibular nerve is the only trigeminal nerve branch with a motor component. This branch supplies motor innervation to the mastication muscles, which include the masseter, temporalis muscle, and lateral and medial pterygoids.
What is the function of the olfactory nerve? ›
Your olfactory nerve is the first cranial nerve (CN I). This nerve enables your olfactory system and sense of smell. Many conditions can affect cranial nerve 1, including COVID-19, diabetes and Alzheimer's. It's important to see your healthcare provider for difficulties with your sense of smell.
What are the 3 types of nerves How are they different from each other? ›
Sensory nerves are known as 'Afferent' that carry impulses from sensory receptors to the brain. Motor nerves are 'Efferent' ones, carrying electrical impulses away from the brain to the glands and muscles of the body. The 3rd type of nerve called the Mixed is a combination of both afferent and efferent nerves.
What are the 12 nerves of the nervous system? ›
Olfactory nerve (CN I), optic nerve (CN II), oculomotor nerve (CN III), trochlear nerve (CN IV), trigeminal nerve (CN V), abducens nerve (CN VI), facial nerve (CN VII), vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII), glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), vagus nerve (CN X), accessory nerve (CN XI), and hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).
What are the five major nerves? ›
The fifth and final level of the brachial plexus are the five nerves that feed the shoulder and arm called "branches." These five branches are named the musculocutaneous, axillary, radial, median, and ulnar nerves.
