Which term describes the system that includes the brain and spinal cord?

The central nervous system is the term that accurately describes the system comprising both the brain and spinal cord. This system serves as the primary control center for the body, responsible for processing information and integrating sensory input. The brain processes data by interpreting sensory signals, issuing commands for voluntary movements, and managing complex functions such as cognition, memory, and emotion. The spinal cord facilitates communication between the brain and the rest of the body, relaying signals for reflex actions and other involuntary responses.

This distinction is essential since the other options refer to different aspects of the nervous system. The peripheral nervous system encompasses all the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, including sensory and motor neurons that connect the central nervous system to limbs and organs. The cranial nervous system is not a standard term used in anatomy; however, it may refer informally to the cranial nerves that arise directly from the brain. The autonomic nervous system is a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate and digestion, but does not include the brain and spinal cord themselves. Therefore, the central nervous system is the correct designation for the combination of the brain and spinal cord.