Nervous system Nervous system is a complex network of nerves and cells that carry impulses to and from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the body The nervous system includes both the Central Nervous System and Peripheral Nervous system Central Nervous System The central nervous system consists of the brain spinal cord The brain plays a central role in the control of most bodily functions including awareness movements thoughts speech and memory Some reflex movements can occur via spinal cord pathways without participation of brain structures The spinal cord is connected to a section of the brain called the brainstem and runs through the spinal canal Cranial nerves exit the brainstem Nerve roots exit the spinal cord to both sides of the body The spinal cord carries impulses back and forth between the brain and the peripheral nerves The peripheral nervous system PNS is the division of the nervous system containing all the nerves that lie outside of the central nervous system CNS The primary role of the PNS is to connect the CNS to the organs limbs and skin These nerves extend from the central nervous system to the outermost areas of the body The peripheral system allows the brain and spinal cord to receive and send information to other areas of the body which allows us to react to stimuli in our environment
