Delve into how the vertebrate nervous system forms, connects, and evolves—from brain to gut—with clear, expert insight.
The book examines how the autonomic nervous system fits into vertebrate anatomy, focusing on the sympathetic and parasympathetic outflows and their connections through dorsal and ventral nerve roots. It also discusses the enteric nervous system and the complex networks within the gut, highlighting how nerve fibers relate to muscular and vascular systems.
- How dorsal-root and ventral-root pathways developed and why they matter for autonomic function
- Differences between ontogeny (development) and phylogeny (evolution) in nerve system history
- Descriptions of nerve plexuses in the intestine and the roles of sympathetic and vagal fibers
- How skull and head neural connections relate to broader nervous system evolution in vertebrates
Ideal for readers of anatomy and comparative physiology who want a detailed, historical view of nervous system structure and development.