The brain and spinal cord are part of which system?

The brain and spinal cord are integral components of the Central Nervous System (CNS). This system serves as the primary control center for processing and integrating information from the entire body. The brain is responsible for higher functions, such as thought, memory, and emotion, while the spinal cord acts as a pathway for messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

In contrast, the Peripheral Nervous System consists of all the nerves outside the central nervous system, which connect the CNS to limbs and organs. The Autonomic Nervous System is a subdivision of the Peripheral Nervous System that regulates involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate and digestion. The Somatic Nervous System, also a part of the Peripheral Nervous System, is involved in voluntary control of body movements through skeletal muscles. Together, these systems interact, but it is the CNS that encompasses the brain and spinal cord specifically.