NERVOUS SYSTEM AND SENSE ORGANS
by Julie McDowell. Greenwood Press, 2004 (i-xvi, 201 pages)
OUTLINE OF BOOK'S FACTS & IDEAS

SERIES FORWARD --- Including information about this book (ix-xii)

[1] Organ = Nervous System

[2] General Function = Processing of incoming stimuli to brain and coordination of bodily activity

[3] Examples = Brain and spinal cord

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (xiii)

INTRODUCTION (xv-xii)
    Interesting facts about your brain and nervous system (xii)

    (1) Average weight of an adult human brain = 2.8-3.1 pounds

    (2) Average number of neurons in the human brain = 100 billion

    (3) Length of myelinated nerve fibers in your brain = 93,200-112,000 miles

    (4) Difference in the number of neurons in your brain's left and right hemispheres =186 million more neurons in the left hemisphere in comparison to the right hemisphere

    (5) Total area of your brain's cerebral cortex = 2.5 square feet

    (6) Total number of neurons in your cerebral cortex = 10 billion

    (7) Number of neurons in your spinal cord = 1 billion

    (8) Total number of human taste buds on your tongue, palate, and cheeks = 10,000

    (9) Number of taste buds on your tongue = 9,000

    (10) Your skin contains 45 miles of nerves

    (11) Nerve impulses can travel from your brain at speeds up to 170 miles per hour
1) NERVE CELLS — The foundation of the nervous system (1-17)
    [1] Nerve cells (3-4)

    [2] How cells produce energy (5)

    [3] Neurons (5-8)

    [4] Synapses (8-10)

    [5] Neurotransmitters (10-14)

    [6] Nerve impulse (14-17)
2) THE SPINAL CORD (19-26)

3) THE BRAIN (27-44)

4) PERIPHERAL AND AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (45-44)

5) THE SENSES (59-58)

6) HISTORY OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM (75-88)

7) NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS --- In medicine and physiology pursue neuroscience discoveries (89-102)
    Note = See 8 pages of unnumbered color illustrations of brain parts between pages 102-103 of the text

8) NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES AND DISORDERS (103-124)

9) KEEPING THE NERVOUS SYSTEM HEALTHY (125-149)

10) FUTURE AVENUES OF RESEARCHING THE NERVOUS SYSTEM (151-167)

ACRONYMS (169)
    Note =

    [1] ADP = adenosine diphosphate, and

    [2] ATO = adenosine triphosphate
GLOSSARY (171-188)

ORGANIZATIONS AND WEBSITES (189-192)

BIBLIOGRAPHY (193-195)

INDEX (197-201)
    Note = See under "Brain" = many references 27-44 (198)
SUMMARY = Beginning with an exploration of nerve cells, this volume of the Encyclopedia of the Human Body discusses the parts of the central and peripheral nervous systems and how they work together in reflex responses and understanding sensory information. Major areas of the brain and the autonomic and peripheral nervous systems are covered. The five senses are discussed in relation to the nervous system. The history of the research on the nervous system is presented and the future of research in this field is considered. Current controversies and dilemmas of scientists performing this research are explored. Nervous system disorders, symptoms and treatments are explored, including multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. The reference concludes with information about maintaining a healthy nervous system, a comprehensive glossary, and resources for further information including Web sites and contact information for organizations and national health institutions.

The set provides a complete, comprehensive reference source for students interested in the human body. Each book in the ten-volume set introduces and describes a specific body system, including the parts and function of each system, the history of discovery, related diseases and treatments, as well as possible future advances in research. Detailed illustrations and diagrams, including an eight-page color insert, provide a visual reference for written material.
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