Central nervous system

main information-processing organs of the nervous system, consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and meninges

The central nervous system (CNS) is the largest part of the nervous system. It is made up of the brain and the spinal cord.

A diagram showing the CNS:
1. Brain
2. Central nervous system
    (brain and spinal cord)
3. Spinal cord

Together with the peripheral nervous system, it has an important role in the control of behaviour. The CNS is protected by bone in the dorsal cavity: the brain in the cranial subcavity, and the spinal cord in the spinal cavity.

Parts of the vertebrate CNS change

Spinal cord
Brain Brain stem Rhombencephalon

Pons, Cerebellum, Medulla oblongata

Mesencephalon

Tectum, Cerebral peduncle, Pretectum, Mesencephalic duct

Prosencephalon Diencephalon

Epithalamus, Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Subthalamus, Pituitary gland, Pineal gland, Third ventricle

Telencephalon

Rhinencephalon, Amygdala, Hippocampus, Neocortex, Lateral ventricles


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