UP CHO - 10 September 2021
Applied Anatomy
Easy

The human nervous system is divided into two parts, one of which is the central nervous system and the other is ______ .

Appeared in: UP CHO - 10 September 2021

Explanation

  • The human nervous system has two primary divisions: the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
  • The CNS is composed of the brain and the spinal cord, serving as the main processing and control center.
  • The PNS consists of all nervous tissue outside the CNS, including cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and ganglia, which connect the CNS to the rest of the body.
  • Therefore, the peripheral neural system is the other major part of the nervous system alongside the central nervous system.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option B: The enteric nervous system is a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system, which is part of the PNS. It is not one of the two main divisions of the entire nervous system.
  • Option C: The parasympathetic nervous system is a branch of the autonomic nervous system (a part of the PNS). It is responsible for 'rest-and-digest' functions.
  • Option D: The cervical spinal neural system refers to a specific group of spinal nerves in the neck region. These nerves are components of the PNS, not a primary division of the whole nervous system.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Divisions of the Human Nervous System as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Understanding the division between the CNS and PNS is fundamental for nurses to localize neurological symptoms. For example, a problem in the brain or spinal cord (CNS) often causes bilateral symptoms, while a problem in a peripheral nerve (PNS) typically affects a specific, localized area.
  • Nurses assess both systems. Checking a patient's orientation and level of consciousness assesses CNS function, while testing reflexes and sensation in the limbs assesses PNS function.
  • What if? If a patient presents with weakness and tingling only in their right hand, the nurse should suspect a PNS issue (like carpal tunnel syndrome or a pinched cervical nerve) rather than a primary CNS event like a stroke, which would likely cause more widespread deficits.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the basic structure of the human nervous system.
  • Recall the primary, top-level division of the nervous system.
  • The question states one part is the central nervous system (CNS). Your task is to identify the other main part.
  • Evaluate the options based on this primary division. The nervous system is first split into the CNS and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).
  • Eliminate options that are subdivisions or components of the PNS, such as the enteric, parasympathetic, or cervical spinal systems. These are parts of the PNS, not the other main division equal to the CNS.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Divisions of the Human Nervous System
  • Stem keywords: human nervous system, central nervous system, divided into two parts
  • Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
  • Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

qQ3Ge-aZQzYCDjRenUV0T

Reference Book

E6 Psychology Morgan King 9e Part 1 p. 70-72

E6 Psychology Baron Misra 5e Part 1 p. 68-70

E6 Anatomy Grays 43e Vol 1 Part 1 p. 72-74

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