Which nervous system is located in the skull and vertebral column?

The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord, both of which are housed within the protective structures of the skull and vertebral column. This system serves as the main control center for processing and integrating sensory information, coordinating responses, and managing complex functions such as thought, memory, and emotion.

In contrast, other systems mentioned, such as the peripheral nervous system, extends beyond the confines of the skull and vertebral column to connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body. The autonomic nervous system, which is a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system, regulates involuntary bodily functions and also operates outside the central nervous system. The somatic nervous system, another component of the peripheral nervous system, is responsible for voluntary movements and sensory information but is not located exclusively within the skull and vertebral column either. Thus, the central nervous system is uniquely defined by its location and its critical role in the overall functioning of the body.