The nervous system, one of the two major regulatory systems of the body, consists of the central nervous system (CNS), composed of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), composed of the afferent and efferent fibers that relay signals between the CNS and the periphery (other parts of the body). Once informed by the afferent division of the PNS that a change in the internal or the external environment is threatening homeostasis, the CNS makes appropriate adjustments to maintain homeostasis. The CNS makes these adjustments by controlling the activities of effector organs (muscles and glands), transmitting signals from the CNS to these organs through the efferent division of the PNS.

The efferent division of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is the communication link by which the CNS controls muscles and glands, the effector organs that carry out the intended effects or actions (typically contraction or secretion, respectively). The CNS regulates these effectors by initiating action potentials in the cell bodies of efferent neurons whose axons terminate on these organs. Cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, most exocrine glands, some endocrine glands, and adipose tissue (fat) are innervated by the autonomic nervous system, the involuntary branch of the peripheral efferent division. Skeletal muscle is innervated by the somatic nervous system, the branch of the efferent division subject to voluntary control.Much of efferent output is directed toward maintaining homeostasis. The efferent output to skeletal muscles is also directed toward voluntarily controlled nonhomeostatic activities, such as riding a bicycle or texting a message.

The following Books are recommended for this course;

TEXTBOOK OF MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY, GUYTON,A.C, 11TH Edition

REVIEW OF MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY ,GANONG,W.F, 22ND Edition

PHYSIOLOGY BOARD REVIEW SERIES, COSTANZO, LINDA S,6TH Edition

ESSENTIALS OF MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY, SEMBULINGHAM,K, 7TH Edition

 Assessment Criteria:

Assessment schedule: 5 tests & one send-up written examination including objective & subjective (SEQs, LEQs) type questions
Internal Assessment (based on class tests, class performance and attendance): 20 Marks
Written: 80 Marks