What is the part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord known as?

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord is known as the Central Nervous System (CNS). The CNS serves as the primary control center for the body, where it processes information received from sensory organs and coordinates appropriate responses. It is responsible for higher functions such as thought, memory, emotion, and the coordination of movement.

In contrast to the CNS, the peripheral nervous system (PNS) comprises all the nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord to other parts of the body. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a component of the PNS that regulates involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate and digestion. The somatic nervous system (SNS), also part of the PNS, controls voluntary movements and conveys sensory information to the CNS. Understanding these distinctions is key in grasping how the nervous system is organized and functions.