|Neuro-Oncology Program: About Brain and Central Nervous System
Tumors| | Last Modified: November 1, 2001 The Anatomy of the
Central Nervous System The central nervous system (CNS) is made
up by the brain and spinal cord. This complex system controls
both things that we intentionally think about and do, like
walking and talking, and essential body functions that occur
without specific thought on our part, such as breathing and
digesting food. The CNS is also involved with the five senses of
seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling, as well as
emotions, thoughts, and memory. The brain is a soft, spongy
organ that is made up of nerve cells and tissue. It is divided
into three major sections: the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the
brainstem. The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, and is
divided into two halves, called the right and left hemispheres.
The right hemisphere controls the left side of the body and the
left hemisphere controls the right side of the body. Each
hemisphere is further divide