Central Nervous System

Central Nervous system (CNS)

Includes the brain and spinal cord

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Connects the CNS to the rest of the body

Meninges

Connective tissue surrounding and protecting the CNS

Cerebrospinal fluid

Fluids surrounding the CNS and linking to the endocrine system

Notochord

Embryonic structure that develops into the spinal cord

Cerebral cortex

Outermost and largest layer of the cerebral hemisphere

Reticular formation

Regulates attention and alertness

Thalamus

Interprets sensory input and signals the cerebrum

Blood-brain barrier

Network preventing harmful substances from reaching the brain

Spinal Cord

Extends from the skull to the pelvis

Forebrain

Largest brain region

Corpus callosum

Thick band connecting the left and right cerebral hemispheres

Midbrain

Contains structures processing audio and visual information

Hindbrain

Base of the brain connecting to the spinal cord

Pons

Coordinates movements of the body's right and left sides

Cerebellum

Coordinates movement, balance, and posture

Medulla

Controls vital functions like breathing and heartbeat

Frontal lobes

Responsible for executive functions and personality

Parietal lobes

Involved in perception and making sense of the world

Temporal lobes

Associated with memory and language

Occipital lobes

Responsible for vision

Hypothalamus

Oversees the hormone response

Spinal Cord Arrangement

Afferent (sensory) information to the brain and efferent (motor) information from the brain; Dorsal root (back) and ventral root (front)