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Central Nervous System Pathways

Meaning

Defined as the complex, organized network of nerve fibers and associated nuclei within the brain and spinal cord that transmit electrochemical signals to regulate bodily functions and coordinate behavior. These pathways serve as the primary conduits for communication between the central command centers and the peripheral endocrine glands, linking thought and emotion directly to hormonal output. Clinically, their integrity is vital for the proper function of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axes.