CNS
Brain-cord network
CNS is an abbreviation for central nervous system—the brain and spinal cord, which process and coordinate information throughout the body.
The term appears frequently in medical and scientific contexts: The drug crosses the blood-brain barrier and affects the CNS.
CNS depressants slow brain activity; CNS stimulants speed it up.
Brain's largest division
- cortexOrgan's external tissue
- brainstemLower neural trunk
- cerebellumMovement coordination organ
- spinal cordBrain's extension through vertebrae
hemispheres · frontal lobe · parietal lobe · occipital lobe · temporal lobe · hippocampus · amygdala · thalamus
Signal-transmitting brain cells
- astrocytesStar-shaped brain support cells
- axonsNeuron output extensions
- dendritesNeuron's signal-receiving projections
- synapsesNeuron-to-neuron transmission points
myelin · neurotransmitters · dopamine · serotonin · acetylcholine · receptors · action potential · neuroplasticity
Disease impairing brain function
- multiple sclerosisAutoimmune demyelinating neurological disease
- Parkinson'sNeurodegenerative motor disorder
- Alzheimer'sDegenerative brain disease
- epilepsyBrain disorder causing seizures
meningitis · encephalitis · stroke · tumor · glioma · demyelination · neurodegeneration · lesion
Interlocking bones of spine
spinal cord · discs · herniation · nerve roots · dermatomes · paralysis · quadriplegia · paraplegia
Mental knowledge acquisition
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
- motor controlRegulation of bodily movement
- sensory processingBrain interpreting incoming stimuli
- reflexInvoluntary stimulus response
coordination · balance · homeostasis · autonomic · voluntary · involuntary · memory · learning
cerebrum
Brain's largest division
- cortexOrgan's external tissue
- brainstemLower neural trunk
- cerebellumMovement coordination organ
spinal cord · hemispheres · frontal lobe · parietal lobe · occipital lobe · temporal lobe · hippocampus · amygdala · thalamus · hypothalamus
neurons
Signal-transmitting brain cells
- astrocytesStar-shaped brain support cells
- axonsNeuron output extensions
- dendritesNeuron's signal-receiving projections
synapses · myelin · neurotransmitters · dopamine · serotonin · acetylcholine · receptors · action potential · neuroplasticity · neurogenesis
encephalopathy
Disease impairing brain function
- multiple sclerosisAutoimmune demyelinating neurological disease
- Parkinson'sNeurodegenerative motor disorder
- Alzheimer'sDegenerative brain disease
epilepsy · meningitis · encephalitis · stroke · tumor · glioma · demyelination · neurodegeneration · lesion · atrophy
vertebrae
Interlocking bones of spine
sacral · spinal cord · discs · herniation · nerve roots · dermatomes · paralysis · quadriplegia · paraplegia · myelopathy
cognition
Mental knowledge acquisition
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
- motor controlRegulation of bodily movement
- sensory processingBrain interpreting incoming stimuli
reflex · coordination · balance · homeostasis · autonomic · voluntary · involuntary · memory · learning · arousal
CNSPNS
Extracranial nerve network
peripheral nervous system · peripheral nerves · autonomic nervous system · ANS · nerve endings
Nerves outside brain, cord