"

12.1.4 Components of the Nervous System and ANS Receptors

Ernstmeyer & Christman - Open Resources for Nursing (Open RN)

The nervous system is composed of all nerve cells in the body, serves as the communication center and maintains homeostasis. Nervous system components and autonomic nervous system receptors are illustrated in the figure below.

 

Hierarchical flowchart of nervous system organization. Shows division from Nervous System into Central and Peripheral branches. Peripheral branch divides into Motor and Sensory. Motor branches into Autonomic (ANS) and Somatic. ANS splits into Sympathetic (SNS) with four receptor types (Alpha 1, Alpha 2, Beta 1, Beta 2 in pink pentagons) and Parasympathetic (PNS) with two receptor types (Nicotinic and Muscarinic in yellow circles). Blue arrows connect the hierarchical levels.
Figure 4.2 Components of the Nervous System and ANS Receptors

 

The Central Nervous System consists of the brain and spinal cord and The Peripheral Nervous System consists of the Motor & Sensory systems.  The motor system branches into the somatic and autonomic branches. 

Next- 12.2 Drugs to Treat Myasthenia Gravis and Alzheimer’s Disease

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Foundational Patho-Pharmacology for Nurses Copyright © 2025 by University of Wyoming Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book