The Spinal Cord

Spinal Cord

The spinal cord is a thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue that extends from the brainstem and continues down the center of the back to the pelvis. It is protected by the vertebrae , which encase it. The spinal cord serves as an information superhighway, passing messages from the body to the brain and from the brain to the body.

Summary

  • The central nervous includes the brain and spinal cord.
  • The brain is the control center of the nervous system. It controls virtually all mental and physical processes.
  • The spinal cord is a long, thin bundle of nervous tissue that passes messages from the body to the brain and from the brain to the body.

CK-12 Foundation, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/