Peripheral Nervous System

Flashcards about the peripheral nervous system.

Peripheral Nerves

Organs of the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Cranial Nerves

Nerves that bring information to and from the brain and the brainstem.

Spinal Nerves

Nerves that bring information to and from the spinal cord.

Motor (Efferent) Division

The division of the PNS that innervates muscle cells and glands.

Sensory (Afferent) Division

The division of the PNS that innervates the skin, joints, special sensory organs, and other sensory receptors.

Somatic Sensory Division

Serves skin.

Somatic Motor Division

Serves skeletal muscles.

Visceral Sensory Division

Serves smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.

Visceral Motor Division

Serves smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands; also known as the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS).

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Controls automatic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and urine production; also known as the visceral motor division.

Nerve

Consists of myelinated and unmyelinated axons, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and connective tissue sheaths.

Axolemma

Plasma membrane that covers each individual axon.

Endoneurium

Connective tissue sheath superficial to the axolemma.

Fascicles

Bundles of axons.

Perineurium

Connective tissue sheath that covers fascicles.

Epineurium

Most superficial connective tissue sheath surrounding groups of fascicles, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels.