The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is the division of the nervous system which contains all nerves which can be found outside of the central nervous system (CNS). Its role is to connect the central nervous system to the organs, muscles and glands found throughout the body.
Peripheral Nervous System Tissues
The peripheral nervous system is made up of the following tissues:
- NERVES – bundles of axons that make up most of the peripheral nervous system tissues. They are classified as sensory, motor, or mixed.
- GANGLIA – nervous tissues which act as relay stations for signals which are transmitted through nerves of the peripheral nervous system.
The Somatic Nervous System
The somatic nervous system has the ability to sense the external environment and control voluntary movements through signals originating within the cerebral cortex of the brain. In other words, perceptions of the outside world and responses to these perceptions result from the somatic nervous system.
The somatic nervous system consists of:
- 12 pairs of cranial nerves
- 31 pairs of spinal nerves
Out of 12 pairs of cranial nerves, 4 participate in both sensory and motor functions as mixed nerves, since they have both sensory and motor neurons.
Cranial Nerves
Cranial nerves, which connect directly to the brain, can be found in the head and neck. Sensory Cranial Nerves sense smells, tastes, light, sounds, and body position. Motor Cranial Nerves have the ability to control muscles of the face, tongue, eyeballs, throat, head, and shoulders, as well as swallowing and salivary glands.
Spinal Nerves
Somatic VS Autonomic Nervous System
Somatic Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous System
The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) operates without conscious control via reflex arcs in the same way as the Somatic Nervous System. Autonomic sensory neurons can be found in the visceral organs and blood vessels. They trigger continuous nerve impulses that reach the integrating centres in the central nervous system. Impulses within the autonomic motor neurons are then transferred to smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, or glands. Reflexes triggered by the ANS are controlled by centres in the hypothalamus and the brainstem.
AUTONOMIC = AUTOMATIC: NOT CONTROLLABLE
Sympathetic VS Parasympathetic Nervous System
Condition: Trigeminal Neuralgia
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Claire is keen about public education on health-related subjects as well as holistic patient-centered care. She is also passionate about spreading awareness on the negative effects that domestic abuse leaves on its victims’ mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing.
Claire aspires to continue studying following completion of her Nursing Degree, because she truly believes in lifelong education.
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