Another way to look at the nervous system is in terms of what it does.

The nervous system can be considered to have two distinct but co-ordinated functional divisions:

The somatic (or voluntary ) nervous system.

• This controls skeletal muscle and regulates the body’s voluntary movements

The autonomic (or involuntary ) nervous system.

• This controls the body’s smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glands.
• It also regulates the body’s involuntary activities such as digestion, respiration and circulation, and so maintains a stable internal environment in the body.