Which term refers to the part of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord?

Which term refers to the part of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord?

• A. Peripheral nervous system
• B. Central nervous system
• C. Autonomic nervous system
• D. Somatic nervous system

Answer: (A)

Think about how the nervous system is organized. The part outside the brain and spinal cord is the peripheral nervous system, which includes all the nerves that reach out to limbs and organs and carries information between the body and the central nervous system. The central nervous system itself is the brain and spinal cord, not outside them. Within the peripheral nervous system, there are subdivisions like the somatic division, which handles voluntary control of skeletal muscles, and the autonomic division, which regulates involuntary functions. But the overall term for the part outside the brain and spinal cord is the peripheral nervous system.

Think about how the nervous system is organized. The part outside the brain and spinal cord is the peripheral nervous system, which includes all the nerves that reach out to limbs and organs and carries information between the body and the central nervous system. The central nervous system itself is the brain and spinal cord, not outside them. Within the peripheral nervous system, there are subdivisions like the somatic division, which handles voluntary control of skeletal muscles, and the autonomic division, which regulates involuntary functions. But the overall term for the part outside the brain and spinal cord is the peripheral nervous system.