The central nervous system (CNS) has two main parts: the brain and the spinal cord.
The Brain: The Control Center
The brain is the command center of the body. It controls our thoughts, emotions, movements, and bodily functions. The brain receives information from the senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) and processes this information to make decisions and initiate actions.
- Example: When you touch a hot stove, your brain processes the sensory information from your hand to quickly signal your muscles to pull away.
The Spinal Cord: The Communication Highway
The spinal cord acts as a critical communication pathway between the brain and the rest of the body. It transmits messages from the brain to the muscles and organs and carries sensory information from the body back to the brain.
- Example: When you decide to walk, the brain sends signals down the spinal cord to the leg muscles to initiate movement. Simultaneously, sensory information about the position of your legs and feet is sent back up the spinal cord to the brain.
Several sources confirm this information: KidsHealth explains that the CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, and Cleveland Clinic reiterates this composition. The National Institutes of Health (NICHD) also clearly states that the brain and spinal cord make up the CNS.
