The central nervous system is comprised of the '''brain and spinal cord'''. The brain is contained within the skull, and the spinal cord is contained within the spinal vertebral canal. The brain is covered, and protected, by the meninges. The meninges are comprised of three layers: the dura mater (the outermost layer), the arachnoid mater (the middle layer), and the pia mater (the innermost layer). Nerves arising from the brain and brain stem are the [[#Innervation - cranial nerves| cranial nerves]] whilst those arising from the spinal cord are the [[Nervous System - PNS - Anatomy & Physiology|perhipheral nerves]]. | The central nervous system is comprised of the '''brain and spinal cord'''. The brain is contained within the skull, and the spinal cord is contained within the spinal vertebral canal. The brain is covered, and protected, by the meninges. The meninges are comprised of three layers: the dura mater (the outermost layer), the arachnoid mater (the middle layer), and the pia mater (the innermost layer). Nerves arising from the brain and brain stem are the [[#Innervation - cranial nerves| cranial nerves]] whilst those arising from the spinal cord are the [[Nervous System - PNS - Anatomy & Physiology|perhipheral nerves]]. |