Let me share with you a comparison between CNS and PNS.
| Aspect | Central Nervous System | Peripheral Nervous System |
| Short form | · CNS | · PNS |
| Components | · Brain · Spinal cord |
· Nerves
· Ganglia · Receptors |
| Location | · Brain and Spinal Cord | · Nerves outside the CNS |
| Function | · Integrates and processes sensory information, initiates motor responses and coordinates body functions. | · Transmits sensory and motor signals between the CNS and the rest of the body. |
| Subdivisions | · Two main components: the brain and the spinal cord. | · Somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. |
| Types of neurons | · Mainly interneurons (processing and integrating information) | · Sensory neurons (afferent) Motor neurons (efferent). |
| Protection | · Well-protected by the skull and vertebral column. | · Less protected and vulnerable to injury. |
| Blood-brain barrier | · Present, which restricts the passage of substances from the blood to the brain. | · Not present; the PNS is more permeable to substances from the bloodstream. |
| Myelination | · Neurons in the CNS are often more highly myelinated. | · Myelination of PNS neurons is typically less extensive. |
| Voluntary vs. Involuntary control | · Some voluntary control (e.g., conscious movement). | · Primarily responsible for involuntary functions, such as organ and gland regulation. |
| Examples of disorders | · Stroke
· Traumatic brain injury · Neurodegenerative diseases. |
· Peripheral neuropathy
· Radiculopathy |