Which structures make up the central nervous system (CNS)?

• A. Spinal cord and cranial nerves
• B. Brain and spinal cord
• C. Brain and peripheral nerves
• D. Cranial nerves and spinal nerves

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the definition of the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of the main control centers of the nervous system responsible for processing and integrating information.
2. Step 2: Recall that the CNS is composed of the brain and the spinal cord, which are protected by the skull and vertebral column respectively.
3. Step 3: Differentiate the CNS from the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which includes all nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, such as cranial nerves and spinal nerves.
4. Step 4: Recognize that cranial nerves and spinal nerves are part of the PNS, not the CNS, even though they connect to the CNS.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the structures making up the CNS are the brain and spinal cord.