Spinal cord. Computerenhanced historical illustr ation of the spinal cord and brain of a human. Both organs are seen without the skeletal structures (such as the skull & vertebrae) which normally protect them. Red and blue blood vessels are seen branching over the brain (at top) and spinal cord. The spinal cord has 32 pairs of spinal nerves which are seen branching off at either side with associated blood vessels. The spinal nerves connect the body to the central nervous system (CNS). CNS is the collective name for the brain and spinal cord which control all nervous activity within the body. Drawing by the famous Italian anatomist Paolo Mascagni(17551815).