BOB体育

Skip to main content

Central nervous system

Definition

The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord. Your brain and spinal cord serve as the main "processing center" for your entire nervous system. They control all the workings of your body.

Gallery

Vertebra and spinal nerves
The spinal cord and its peripheral nerves are protected by the vertebral column, a stack of bones which surround and provide support. Between the vertebrae is a fluid-filled disk.

References

Ransom BR. Organization of the nervous system. In: Boron WF, Boulpaep EL, eds. Medical Physiology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 10.

Last reviewed April 27, 2023 by Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team..

Related specialties

Our Experts

Clinical Trials: Central nervous system

BOB体育 research scientists make medicine better every day. They discover new ways to help people by running clinical trials. When you join a clinical trial, you can get advanced medical care. Sometimes years before it's available everywhere. You can also help make medicine better for everyone else. If you'd like to learn more about clinical trials, visit our clinical trials page. Or click one of the links below:

News and Patient Stories: Central nervous system

BOB体育 study alters dogma on cerebrospinal fluid

September 5, 2024

GAINESVILLE, Fla. 鈥� While studying blood stem cells, Edward W. Scott, Ph.D., a professor of molecular genetics and microbiology, discovered something that may鈥�

College of Medicine, +1 more

The junction of the central nervous system to the peripheral nervous system.
More Central nervous system stories