Difference Between Brain And Spinal Cord

The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. This complex system has an impact on everything we do. It controls the actions we choose to undertake, including walking and talking, as well as the natural functions of our body, like breathing and digesting food. Our senses—seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling—as well as our emotions, ideas, and memories are all influenced by the central nervous system.

Human Brain

Our intelligence is based on the human brain. It is the human body’s central unit, in charge of directing bodily functions, physiological processes, and cognitive abilities. It has complete control over the human body.  All of the body’s information is processed by the brain. It functions by delivering and receiving messages via neurons to various parts of the body. Although the human brain contains the same basic structure as most other animals, it is larger and more advanced than other mammalian brains.

Human ability is derived from the brain. Neurons, the basic building blocks of the brain and nervous system, make up the majority of the human brain. The brain has between 86 billion and 100 billion neurons, as per latest estimates. Adult humans’ brains weigh between 1.0 and 1.5 kg on average.

Location of Brain

The brain is encased in a skull that comprises 22 bones, 14 of which are facial and 8 of which are cranial. The skull protects all three directions: frontal, lateral, and dorsal. Cerebrospinal fluid surrounds the brain, which is enclosed within the cranium.

CSF, or Cerebrospinal Fluid, is a fluid that circulates through the brain and spinal cord. It fills up the gaps on the surface of the brain. The Cerebrospinal Fluid shields the brain from immune system threats. By cushioning mechanical shocks and neutralising minor jolts, it works as a buffer and protects the brain.

The particular ependymal cells create 500 mL of Cerebrospinal Fluid every day on average. The brain is kept afloat by cerebrospinal fluid. The brain is suspended in a layer of CSF, where its weight is reduced to nearly none. The brain’s weight will hinder its movement if it is not suspended in CSF, cutting off blood flow to the bottom section of the brain. In the affected area, it would result in neuron death.

Parts of Human Brain

The human brain is divided into three sections:

• Forebrain
• Midbrain
• Hindbrain

Forebrain

The forebrain is the greatest section of the human brain. The forebrain is in charge of emotions, appetite, sleep, body temperature, reproductive bodily organs, and functions.

Midbrain

The midbrain is the centre part of the brainstem between the thalamus and hypothalamus, and it is smaller than the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Hindbrain

The brain’s middle section is referred to as the hindbrain. It controls all vital body activities such as breathing, sleeping, heartbeat, motor learning, and consciousness.

Spinal cord

The spinal cord, which is one of the chordates’ distinguishing traits, might be considered the most significant component of the vertebrates’ body. It’s a part of our CNS (Central Nervous System). It is the major control and coordination centre for all of our body’s reflex movements. The spinal cord extends from the brainstem’s medulla oblongata via the backbone’s vertebral column to the lumbar region, where it stops at the intervertebral disc between the vertebral bodies L1 and L2. The spinal cord, in combination with the brain and nerve tissues, is in charge of the body’s sensory coordination.

In adults, the spinal cord has a length of 40 cm and a width of 2 cm. It is made up of 31 segments, each of which contains two spinal nerves. In addition, the spinal cord is split into five segments, each of which has 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

Difference Between Brain and Spinal Cord

Since the brain and spinal cord are structurally and functionally distinct, understanding the differences is simple. The nervous system includes both of these.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) are the two primary elements of the nervous system (PNS). The CNS, that is the body’s processing centre, is made up of the brain and spinal cord. 

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Parts of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord are referred to as the peripheral nervous system. The cranial and spinal nerves, as well as their roots and branches, peripheral nerves, and neuromuscular connections, are all covered.

Conclusion

The nervous system consists of two basic parts: the brain and the spinal cord. The distinction between the brain and the spinal cord is not difficult to make as they both have distinct structures, each with its own set of functions. Both are crucial in sensing and transmitting commands to all regions of the human body. The brain is housed inside the skull and is in charge of the majority of the body’s functions. The spinal cord, on the other hand, is a tube-like structure that runs from the end of the brain to the bottom of the backbone.