Featured Article: How Pain Works
You've just touched a hot stove -- and probably felt an immediate sharp pain, then a dull ache. How do we sense pain, and why does it eventually go away? See more »
brain & central nervous system library
The brain performs an incredible number of tasks and nervous system is a network of specialized tissues that regulates thoughts, sensations, basic body functions and more. Explore the many functions of the brain & the central nervous system.
Articles 1-20 of 20
How Brain Mapping Works
Brain mapping is an ongoing effort to provide a complete picture of the brain's structure. It's a massive project, but scientists could use it to diagnose and treat diseases, test psychotropic drugs and even figure out where sarcasm comes from.
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How does the brain create an uninterrupted view of the world?
To achieve stability despite quick eye movements, the eyes take before and after shots of an image and compare them. Now, scientists may have finally discovered how.
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How Dreams Work
Should we bother to interpret our dreams? Are these nighttime stories random brain impulses, or do they offer insight into our waking lives? Learn what's happening in your brain while you dream.
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How Nerves Work
You touch a hot object and immediately drop it. It happens so quickly you don't even think about it. How does this happen? Your nervous system coordinated everything.
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How Pain Works
You've just touched a hot stove -- and probably felt an immediate sharp pain, then a dull ache. How do we sense pain, and why does it eventually go away?
See more »
How Your Brain Works
Every animal you can think of -- mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians -- all have brains. But the human brain is unique. It gives us the power to think, plan, speak, imagine... Find out all about this amazing organ.
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Why are people's brains different sizes?
If bigger is better, then some of us have the advantage when it comes to brainpower. Human brains (and noggins) don’t all look the same. Does size really matter? And if it does, who comes out on top?
See more »How Human Memory Works
The more you know about your memory, the better you'll understand how you can improve it. Get details on how your memory works and how aging affects your ability to remember.
See more »Improving Memory: Lifestyle Changes
Worried about memory loss? Fear not, there are still lots of lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent it, such as managing stress. Learn more about memory-saving lifestyle changes in this article.
See more »The Brain and Nervous System
The nervous system is a complex network of specialized tissues that regulates thoughts, emotions, actions, sensations, and body functions. It has two major divisions: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
See more »The Eye
The eye is the organ of sight. This structure works by capturing light and transforming it into impulses that the brain can interpret as images. Learn the functions of the various parts of the eye.
See more »Adrenal Glands
Adrenal glands can secrete various chemicals into the body to deal with varying levels of stress. Watch this animation to see how it works.
See more »Aneurysms Animation
The cerebral arteries supply blood to the brain. This animation describes how aneurysms can form at weak sections of these arteries.
See more »Athetosis
Athetosis is a condition characterized by writhing movements that are caused by damage to the brain. Watch this animation to learn how this condition affects the body.
See more »Brain Components
The brain is composed of three parts: the cerebrum the cerebellum and the brain stem. See how they work together in this detailed animation.
See more »Feeling Pain
The sensation of pain begins with nerves beneath the skin that detect tissue damage. How do these "pain receptors" send a signal all the way to the brain?
See more »Nerve Conduction
Your central nervous system controls everything from fight or flight responses to pain reactions. Watch this animation to see nerve conduction in action.
See more »Reflex Response
Reflexes are involuntary reactions to a stimulus. They can help prevent serious injury by causing the body to withdraw very quickly from painful stimuli.
See more »Strokes
A stroke can occur when an embolism travels from another part of the body and lodges in another part of the brain. This animation illustrates how this occurs.
See more »What exactly is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a learning disorder that makes reading difficult or nearly impossible for some. How does this condition affect the brain?
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