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Central nervous system (CNS)
The brain and the spinal cord, which make up the central nervous system, are colored red.
The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain
and the spinal cord. Within the CNS, many kinds of incoming sensory information are sort out, thoughts and emotions are generated, and memories are formed and stored. Most nerve impulses that stimulate the muscles to contract and glands to secrete originate from the CNS.
They are central due to their position in the head and body, as well as their central function in the entire nervous system.
They are the only parts of the nervous system that are well protected by bone - brain by the skull and spinal cord by the linked vertebrae of the spinal column.
The spinal cord is has many nerve fibres and is thus the largest nerve in the body. The brain has the most number of neurons (brain cells) than any other part of the body.
Related links
Brain Tour : Our brain
Learn about the anatomy of the brain
Historama
Learn about the history of the brain
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