Caption

Male and female figures revealing nerves of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The nervous system is the master controlling and communicating system of the body, made up of nerve cells (neurons) and their far-reaching fibers (axons), which send electrical and chemical signals to and from the brain. The nervous system is organized into two principle parts, the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). The CNS, consisting of the brain and spinal cord, interprets incoming sensory information and creates responses based on reflexes, past experiences and current conditions. The PNS, made up of extensions of the CNS, serves as a communication line linking all parts of the body to the brain.