Central refers to being at or close to the middle. In the field of medicine, as in other areas, "central" contrasts with "peripheral," which indicates a position away from the center. The term "peripheral" originates from the Greek word "peripheria," combining "peri-" (around or about) and "pherein" (to bear or carry). A central line is an infusion tube positioned in or near the heart. For instance, a Swan-Ganz catheter with its tip in the heart's ventricle is considered a central line. Conversely, a peripheral line is situated on the outer edges of the system, such as a standard intravenous (IV) line, which is peripheral.The human nervous system is divided into the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). The CNS comprises the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS includes all the nerves located outside the CNS.
