What is included in the Central Nervous System (CNS)?

The Central Nervous System (CNS) comprises the brain and spinal cord. This system is essential for processing information and coordinating responses throughout the body. The brain acts as the control center, responsible for various functions such as thought, memory, emotion, and coordination, while the spinal cord serves as the main pathway for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

In contrast, the heart and lungs belong to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, respectively, and are not part of the CNS. Peripheral nerves, which connect the CNS to limbs and organs, form the Peripheral Nervous System and are separate from the CNS. The digestive tract and kidneys are part of the digestive and urinary systems and are unrelated to the functions of the CNS. Thus, the only correct inclusion in the Central Nervous System is the brain and spinal cord.