İKİNCİ FEN · DÖRDÜNCÜ BAB · BİRİNCİ FASIL · Birinci Madde
Article One
It describes the location and forms of the nerves within the body.
O Noble One! Know that anatomists have said: Among the nerves present in the body, some possess a direct (original) function, while others possess an indirect (incidental) function [580]. The direct function of the nerves is that through them, the brain imparts sensation and movement to other organs. Their indirect function is that they strengthen the body by giving power to the muscles. The main points of origin for the nerves are the brain, and the furthest extent of their extensions is the skin. The brain has been the place of origin for the nerves in two ways:
Because the brain is the direct point of origin for some nerves. For other nerves, it is the point of origin through the spinal cord and coccyx extending from it. Nerves originating directly from the brain only impart sensation and movement to the head, face members, and internal organs (such as the heart, stomach, and liver). Sensation and movement to other organs are imparted by nerves coming from the spinal cord.
The Most Glorious, the Most Generous, “the Compassionate” (Hannân) and “the Pardoning” (Mennân) Allah, through His grace and favor, has clearly shown care and attention in preserving the motor nerves descending from the brain to the internal organs [129/b]. Because they must be very strong due to their distance from their points of origin, the nerve going to the internal organs is protected by a membrane situated between cartilaginous, nervous, and fibrous tissues (in a middle consistency) in three distinct locations: the first being the larynx, the second near the posterior ends of the ribs, and the third being the lower chest.
There exists among the nerves originating directly from the brain, one whose duty is to impart sensation to the organs; this nerve has entered and joined the organ it must reach from its nearest point, so that the effect of imparting sensation within the brain may be strong. These sensory nerves are as soft as possible, for the greater the strength of sensation, and since they do not need to be solid or robust, they are found to be subtle and soft, unlike the motor nerves. The anterior part of the brain is softer than its posterior part; therefore, the origin of the sensory nerves has been created in the anterior brain, while the origin of the motor nerves [has been created] in the posterior brain. Much instruction is derived from the Most High Creator’s actions in this regard.