The nervous system and diseases Within the human anatomy, an intricate and complex network of nerve fibers and specialized neurons work in collaboration with the central nervous system and the peripheral system , responsible for carrying out the various actions human beings perform every day. The nervous system is also known as the main control unit of the human body, as it manages other important functions such as the circulatory and respiratory systems (Jakab, 2006). It is composed of the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The neurons made up in the various sections of the nervous system are structured with three main parts: a dendrite which is a cluster of branches that operates by receiving information from the receptor and the neurons and transferring the nerve impulses to the cell body; furthermore, a cell body is composed of a nucleus, which works to provide energy and nutrients to the neuron; finally it is an axon, electrically conducted by the myelin sheath, the axon is a path through which nerve impulses pass from the cell body. Furthermore, this is the process through which nerve impulses travel in order to access the rest of the system (Core Science, 2010). The proper functioning of the nervous system is vital to an individual's daily survival, as it plays a significant role in the control and coordination of the human body. Furthermore, if a situation arises where the nervous system becomes dysfunctional or develops a disease (such as multiple sclerosis), this would threaten the current state of health and cause chaos in the system. The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of approximately 100 billion connected neurons, furthermore, it can be classified into two main divisions...... middle of paper ......ental. Patients are generally encouraged to lead as normal a life as possible, but avoid overwork. Massage or physical therapy of weakened limbs is often used to make patients more comfortable. (The world book medical encyclopaedia, 1988, pages 583-584) The nervous system plays an important role in coordinating and controlling the body's activities. It is made up of billions of nerve cells. These cells are connected to form a huge communication network. Nerve cells carry messages in the form of electrical impulses. These impulses are transported at high speed around the body to keep it safe and functioning normally. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that progressively damages the nerves of the brain and spinal cord. Nerve damage in multiple sclerosis can be reflected in changes in virtually any sensory or motor (muscle) function in the body.