Nerve cells, computer artwork. Nerve cells, or neurons, relay information around the central nervous system (CNS) and from the CNS to the rest of the body. Each neuron (one seen clearly in the foreground at centre right) comprises a body surrounded by extensions called dendrites and axons. Dendrites collect information from other neurons and sensory cells, while axons pass information to other neurons and effector cells such as muscle fibres. Nerve cells connect at junctions called synapses to form a neural network.