Which part of the nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord?

The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord, serving as the primary control center for processing and transmitting information throughout the body. The brain is responsible for higher cognitive functions, sensory processing, and coordination of voluntary movements, while the spinal cord acts as a conduit for signal transmission between the brain and the rest of the body. This integration allows for complex reflexes and responses to stimuli.

In contrast, the peripheral nervous system consists of nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord and is primarily responsible for connecting the central nervous system to limbs and organs. The autonomic nervous system, a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system, regulates involuntary bodily functions like heart rate and digestion, while the somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles. Understanding this distinction emphasizes the central nervous system's unique role as the core of neural function and integration in the body.