How it works
This nervous system anatomy quiz has three views: the two divisions of the system on a whole body, the brain and spinal cord from the side, and the main nerves of the arms and legs.
Read the full guide
Two divisions
The central nervous system is the brain and the spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system is every nerve outside them. The second view is a labeled diagram of the central nervous system: the cerebrum fills the top of the skull, the cerebellum sits below its back end, and the brainstem joins the brain to the spinal cord.
The main nerves
Thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves leave the cord. Those for the arm cross in the brachial plexus and go on as the radial, median and ulnar nerves. In the thigh the femoral nerve runs in front and the sciatic nerve behind. The sciatic nerve divides into the tibial and common fibular nerves.
- To draw and label the central nervous system, two shapes are enough: the brain and the spinal cord below it.
- The body is drawn as if transparent, so nerves on the front, such as the femoral nerve, show through.
Questions and answers
What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?
The central nervous system, which is the brain and the spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, which is all the nerves that connect them to the rest of the body.
What are the main parts of the brain?
The cerebrum, the largest part, in two hemispheres; the cerebellum, below the back of the cerebrum; and the brainstem, which continues down into the spinal cord. A fourth region, the diencephalon, lies hidden inside.
How many spinal nerves are there?
Thirty-one pairs: 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 1 coccygeal. They belong to the peripheral nervous system.