Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is a part of the nervous system that is outside of the central nervous system (CNS). It is made up of nerves that extend from the brain and spinal cord (the CNS) and branch out to all parts of the body.

 

The PNS is divided into two main parts: the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

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The somatic nervous system is responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement and sensory perception. It is made up of nerves that emanate from the spine and brain and lead to the muscles and sensory organs. The somatic nervous system is responsible for our ability to move, see, hear, taste and smell.

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The autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling vital functions such as breathing, heartbeat, digestion and metabolism. It consists of two subgroups: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

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The sympathetic nervous system activates the body's response to stress, increasing heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for calming the body and reducing heart rate, breathing and blood pressure.

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The PNS plays an important role in transmitting signals between the brain and different parts of the body. Disorders in the PNS can lead to a variety of diseases, such as peripheral neuropathies, Guillain-Barré syndrome and myasthenia gravis.