The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves throughout the body. The nervous system carries messages from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and organs to tell the body what to do. The spinal cord contains bundles of nerves and extends from the neck down the back, with nerves branching out to all parts of the body. The nervous system is made up of neurons, which transmit messages as nerve impulses, and supporting glial cells like astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system contains all other nerves outside of the central nervous system.