What structures comprise the central nervous system (CNS)?

The central nervous system (CNS) is primarily composed of the brain and the spinal cord. This system serves as the control center for the body, processing sensory information, coordinating movement, and regulating functions.

The brain is responsible for higher cognitive functions, emotional responses, and coordination of voluntary and involuntary activities. The spinal cord, on the other hand, acts as a communication pathway between the brain and the rest of the body, facilitating reflex actions and transmitting signals that control various bodily functions.

Understanding the distinction between the CNS and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is crucial. The PNS includes all the nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord, like the peripheral nerves and cranial nerves listed in some choices, but these structures do not form part of the CNS. Thus, the combination of the brain and spinal cord is what accurately defines the central nervous system.