MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Central nervous system

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Central nervous system

The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The brain functions to receive nerve impulses from the spinal cord and cranial nerves. The spinal cord contains the nerves that carry messages between the brain and the body.

Update Date: 6/19/2008

Updated by: Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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