central nervous systemnoun [ C usually singular ]
uk/ˌsen.trəl ˈnɜː.vəs ˌsɪs.təm/us/ˌsen.trəl ˈnɝː.vəs ˌsɪs.təm/abbreviation CNSthe main system of nerve control in a living thing, consisting of the brain and the main nerves connected to it
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
The brain & nervous system
- -brained
- amygdala
- arachnoid
- ascending
- autonomic nervous system
- ganglion
- grey matter
- hypothalamus
- innervate
- innervation
- intracranial
- intrathecal
- nerve cell
- neuron
- peripheral nervous system
- postganglionic
- preganglionic
- reflex arc
- sensory neuron
- synapse
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Examples from literature
- In this vertebral canal we find the trunk part of the central nervous system, the spinal cord.
- The first sketch of a central nervous system in the human embryo presents the same very simple type as in the other vertebrates.
- These pass into the central nervous system and there excite neurons which in turn discharge impulses into the cerebrum.
- This acts as a connecting medium between the outside world and the central nervous system, which is composed of the brain and spinal cord.
- This shows that some part of the central nervous system is necessary to reflex action.