Functional systems: introduction to the neurological examination
The nervous system is organised into functional systems. Most diseases principally affect one, or more, functional systems due to their proximity, so the nervous system needs to be considered functionally and not just anatomically (Table 1.8, see specific chapters).
Table 1.8 Motor and sensory classification of the nervous system
| Motor or sensory | Functional system | Functions and locations of the neural system |
| Motor | Somatic efferent | UMNs and LMNs influencing striated muscle, all spinal nerves to body, limbs and head CNN III, IV, V, VI, VII, IX, X, XI, XII |
| Autonomic efferent | Autonomic UMNs and LMNs. To smooth and cardiac muscle of the viscera and vasculature, and to glandular myoepithelium | |
| Sympathetic: thoracolumbar spinal nerves | ||
| Parasympathetic: sacral spinal nerves and CNN III, VII, IX, X, XI | ||
| Sensory | Somatic afferent | Touch, temperature, mechanoreception from body, limbs and head. All spinal nerves, CN V, VII, IX and X |
| Special senses | bgcolor=white>Olfaction: CN I||
| Vision: CN II | ||
| Taste: CN VII, IX, X | ||
| Hearing: CN VIII | ||
| Autonomic afferent | Sensory impulses from viscera and blood vessels (distension, chemical changes, e.g. pH) CNN VII, IX, X, spinal nerves | |
| General proprioception (conscious and subconscious) | Muscle and joint position and movement, tactile input from body, limbs and head. All spinal nerves, CN V | |
| Vestibular proprioception | Vestibular input from inner ears and spinal cord, CN VIII, spinal nerves | |
| Nociception | From body, limbs and head CNN VII, IX, X and all spinal nerves |
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