ABSTRACT
First, the central nervous system (CNS) is distinguished from the peripheral nervous system. In general, the CNS is concerned with coordinating and controlling the actions of all the organs of the body. The peripheral nervous system carries commands from the CNS to the various effector organs, and carries sensory information into the CNS. The hypothalamus is vitally important in the control of motivated behavior; it coordinates autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, and is an important controller of the endocrine system. The hindbrain consists of the cerebellum, the pons, and the medulla. Centrally located throughout the CNS is an arrangement of canals, and chambers known as cerebral ventricles, which are filled with cerebrospinal fluid. The peripheral nervous system consists of nerves, which are bundles of individual axons of neurons. The ANS has components in the CNS: in the hypothalamus, the brain stem, and the spinal cord.
