[08] Peripheral Nervous System Flashcards
What is the Peripheral Nervous System?
The network of nerves that connects the CNS to the rest of the body
What are the main components of the Peripheral Nervous System?
- Nerves
- Ganglia
What are the main divisions of the PNS?
- Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
- Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
What is the function of the Somatic Nervous System (SNS)?
It controls voluntary movements
What is the function of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?
It controls involuntary actions
What are the sub-divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Parasympathetic Nervous System
What is the function of the Sympathetic Nervous System?
It controls the body’s “fight or flight” response
What is the function of the Parasympathetic Nervous System?
It controls the body’s “rest and digest” response
What are sensory (afferent) nerves?
They carry information from the body to the CNS
What are motor (efferent) nerves?
They carry commands from the CNS to the body
How do nerves in the PNS communicate with the CNS?
Via electrical signals called action potentials
How are nerves protected in the PNS?
By a layer of insulation called myelin
What are ganglia in the context of the PNS?
Clusters of nerve cell bodies in the PNS
How does damage to the PNS affect the body?
It can cause loss of sensation or motor control
What is neuropathy in the context of the PNS?
Disease or dysfunction of one or more peripheral nerves, causing numbness or weakness
