central nervous system

central nervous system - The anatomical term for the brain and spinal cord, often abbreviated as CNS. The central nervous system is made up of neurons (nerve cells) and works in tandem with the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which carries signals between the CNS and the rest of the body.

The CNS is responsible for receiving sensory information from organs such as the eyes and ears, analysing it, and then initiating an appropriate motor response. (See also nervous system.)