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Central Nervous System

Meaning

The Central Nervous System (CNS) constitutes the brain and spinal cord, acting as the primary integration center that profoundly influences the entire endocrine system. It houses the hypothalamus, the master regulator that initiates the neuroendocrine cascade by releasing releasing and inhibiting hormones. Effective regulation of homeostasis, stress response via the HPA axis, and circadian rhythms are all orchestrated through complex CNS signaling. Understanding CNS input is vital when assessing disorders involving pituitary hormone output or autonomic control over adrenal function.