Question

What constitutes the central and peripheral nervous systems? How are the components of central nervous system protected?

Answer 1

The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord while the peripheral nervous system consists of all the nerves that branch out from the brain (cranial nerves) and the spinal cord (spinal nerves).

The brain sits inside a bony box called a skull (or cranium). Inside the skull, there is a fluid-filled membrane. The fluid is called cerebrospinal fluid that acts as a shock absorber. The spinal cord is well protected by the vertebral column or backbone.