6.1: Introduction
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
The nervous system is made up of three types of organs: the brain, the spinal cord, and nerves (Figure 6.1). The brain and the spinal cord are referred to as the central nervous system (CNS) because they are along the midline of the body. The nerves constitute the peripheral nervous system (PNS), extending from the brain and spinal cord to the farthest reaches of the body. The functions of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves are performed by the highly specialized nerve cells (i.e., neurons) they contain.
