central nervous system

American  

noun

1. the part of the nervous system comprising the brain and spinal cord.

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central nervous system British  

noun

1.  CNS.  the mass of nerve tissue that controls and coordinates the activities of an animal. In vertebrates it consists of the brain and spinal cord Compare autonomic nervous system

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central nervous system Scientific  

1. The part of the nervous system in vertebrate animals that consists of the brain and spinal cord.

2. Compare peripheral nervous system

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central nervous system Cultural  

1. The brain and spinal cord. (See nervous system).

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Etymology

Origin of central nervous system

First recorded in 1890–95

Compare meaning

How does central-nervous-system compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• central nervous system vs. peripheral nervous system

Example Sentences

Such genetic damage may increase the likelihood of cancers affecting the central nervous system, digestive tract, and blood-forming tissues.

From Science Daily

They also became the first to incorporate microglia -- immune cells found in the central nervous system -- to better replicate the inflammatory response that follows spinal cord injury.

From Science Daily

The findings, published in Nature, reveal an unexpected role for astrocytes, a major support cell in the central nervous system.

From Science Daily

This striking imbalance pointed to unusual immune activity inside the central nervous system.

From Science Daily

Geriatricians warn, for example, against taking too many drugs that act on the central nervous system—including combinations involving the widely used gabapentin.

From The Wall Street Journal