Feeling Nervous? Trivia Quiz

Answer:

The brain is the control center of the body and contains several important glands which are essential to the working of the body. The amygdala is named for its shape, which resembles the almond nut, which has the scientific name Prunus amygdalus. There is one on each side of the brain. The pituitary gland controls various hormones, including the one which governs human growth. Other glands in the brain are the hypothalamus and pineal.

The cranial nerves control functions such as sight, smell, taste and movement of the tongue. The trigeminal nerve controls movement in the face and cheeks - problems with this nerve can cause excruciating pain called trigeminal neuralgia. The trochlear nerve specifically enables the eyes to move up and down or from side to side.

The sciatic nerve is the one which runs from the hip, down the back of the thigh and calf to the heel. It helps with movement of the leg, known as the motor function, and enables the body to feel sensation, the sensory function. Issues with the nerve cause the painful and debilitating condition called sciatica.

Neurons are the cells which send messages throughout the body while dendrites resemble tree branches and receive signals from other nerves in the body. Injury to the spinal cord is serious and can cause paralysis of the limbs - the location of the damage controls which parts of the body stop working due to no longer receiving nerve signals. Degeneration in the nervous system causes a range of medical issues including dementia, if the damage is in the brain, motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis, which is caused when the immune system attacks the protective cover of the nerve, known as the myelin sheath.