Anatomy and physiology of thenervous systemThe nervous system is made up of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervoussystem.The central nervous system (CNS)is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The braincontrols most body functions, including awareness, movements, sensations, thoughts,speech and memory. The spinal cord is connected to the brain at the brainstem and iscovered by the vertebrae of the spine. Nerves exit the spinal cord to both sides of the body.The spinal cord carries signals back and forth between the brain and the nerves in the restof the body.The peripheral nervous system (PNS)is the part of the nervous system outside of theCNS. It is made up of nerves that send signals to and receive signals from the CNS. The PNSis divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. The somaticnervous system controls body movements that are under our control such as walking. The
