<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Anatomical terminology (edit on Wikidata) </Td> </Tr> <P> The central nervous system (CNS) is the part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord . The central nervous system is so named because it integrates information it receives from, and coordinates and influences the activity of, all parts of the bodies of bilaterally symmetric animals--that is, all multicellular animals except sponges and radially symmetric animals such as jellyfish--and it contains the majority of the nervous system . Many consider the retina and the optic nerve (cranial nerve II), as well as the olfactory nerves (cranial nerve I) and olfactory epithelium as parts of the CNS, synapsing directly on brain tissue without intermediate ganglia . As such, the olfactory epithelium is the only central nervous tissue in direct contact with the environment, which opens up for therapeutic treatments . The CNS is contained within the dorsal body cavity, with the brain housed in the cranial cavity and the spinal cord in the spinal canal . In vertebrates, the brain is protected by the skull, while the spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae . The brain and spinal cord are both enclosed in the meninges . In central nervous systems, the interneuronal space is filled with a large amount of supporting non-nervous cells called neuroglial cells . </P> <P> The central nervous system consists of the two major structures: the brain and spinal cord . The brain is encased in the skull, and protected by the cranium . The spinal cord is continuous with the brain and lies caudally to the brain, and is protected by the vertebrae . The spinal cord reaches from the base of the skull, continues through or starting below the foramen magnum, and terminates roughly level with the first or second lumbar vertebra, occupying the upper sections of the vertebral canal . </P> <P> Microscopically, there are differences between the neurons and tissue of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system . The central nervous system is divided in white and gray matter . This can also be seen macroscopically on brain tissue . The white matter consists of axons and oligodendrocytes, while the gray matter consists of neurons and unmyelinated fibers . Both tissues include a number of glial cells (although the white matter contains more), which are often referred to as supporting cells of the central nervous system . Different forms of glial cells have different functions, some acting almost as scaffolding for neuroblasts to climb during neurogenesis such as bergmann glia, while others such as microglia are a specialized form of macrophage, involved in the immune system of the brain as well as the clearance of various metabolites from the brain tissue . Astrocytes may be involved with both clearance of metabolites as well as transport of fuel and various beneficial substances to neurons from the capillaries of the brain . Upon CNS injury astrocytes will proliferate, causing gliosis, a form of neuronal scar tissue, lacking in functional neurons . </P>

Where is the cns located in the body
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