Question

What is the function of peripheral nervous system?

Answer 1

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is one of the two components of the nervous system, the other part is the central nervous system (CNS). The PNS consists of the nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord.[1] The main function of the PNS is to connect the CNS to the limbs and organs, essentially serving as a relay between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body.[2] Unlike the CNS, the PNS is not protected by the vertebral column and skull, or by the blood–brain barrier, which leaves it exposed to toxins and mechanical injuries. The peripheral nervous system is divided into the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. In the somatic nervous system, the cranial nerves are part of the PNS with the exception of the optic nerve(cranial nerve II), along with the retina. The second cranial nerve is not a true peripheral nerve but a tract of the diencephalon.[3]Cranial nerve ganglia originated in the CNS. However, the remaining ten cranial nerve axons extend beyond the brain and are therefore considered part of the PNS.[4] The autonomic nervous system is an involuntary control of smooth muscle and glands. The connection between CNS and organs allows the system to be in two different functional states: sympathetic and parasympathetic

Answer 2

The peripheral nervous system is composed of all the neurons and nerve fibres that connect the CNS to the rest part of the body. The PNS is divided into Somatic Nervous System(SNS) and Autonomic Nervous System(ANS).

Somatic Nervous System: It consist of two types of nerves, namely cranial nerves and Spinal nerves.

There are 12 sets of cranial nerves in SNS. They are further divided into sensory nerves and mixed nerves. Sensory nerves collects information from the receptors of head region and send them to brain. Motor nerves carry motor impulses from brain to muscles of head region.

It contains 31 sets of spinal nerves. here, sensory fibres collects information from all over the body through spinal cord it is sent to brain. Motor impulses are sent to muscles.

Autonomic Nervous System:It controls internal functions like breathing,emotional control, etc. It is further divided into:-

Sympathetic nervous system : This nervous system deals with emergencies when the reaction is quick and powerful.

Parasympathetic nervous system : It is concerned with conservation of energy. It helps an individual to calm down after the emergency is over.