Which structures are parts of the central nervous system (CNS)?

• A. Sympathetic trunk and autonomic ganglia
• B. Ganglia and peripheral nerves
• C. Brain and spinal cord
• D. Cranial nerves and spinal nerves

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the definition of the Central Nervous System (CNS). The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, which are responsible for processing and integrating information.
2. Step 2: Recognize that the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) includes all nerves and ganglia outside the CNS, such as cranial nerves, spinal nerves, autonomic ganglia, and the sympathetic trunk.
3. Step 3: Identify that the sympathetic trunk and autonomic ganglia are part of the autonomic nervous system, which belongs to the PNS, not the CNS.
4. Step 4: Note that ganglia and peripheral nerves are components of the PNS, as ganglia are clusters of neuron cell bodies outside the CNS and peripheral nerves connect the CNS to limbs and organs.
5. Step 5: Conclude that only the brain and spinal cord are parts of the CNS, while cranial nerves and spinal nerves are part of the PNS.