Chapter 10: Peripheral and Autonomic Nervous System

Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

The part of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord that connects the CNS to the rest of the body.

Somatic nervous system

A division of the PNS that controls voluntary muscle movements and transmits sensory information.

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

A division of the PNS that controls involuntary body functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiration.

Cranial nerves

Twelve pairs of nerves that arise directly from the brain and primarily serve the head and neck.

Spinal nerves

Thirty-one pairs of nerves that emerge from the spinal cord and connect the CNS to limbs and organs.

Ganglion

A cluster of neuron cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system.

Sympathetic nervous system

The division of the ANS that prepares the body for "fight or flight" responses.

Parasympathetic nervous system

The division of the ANS that promotes "rest and digest" activities and conserves energy.

Homeostasis (ANS)

The balance maintained by the opposing actions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

Reflex arc

The nerve pathway involved in a reflex action, including a sensory input and motor output.

Sensory (afferent) nerves

Nerves that carry information from sensory receptors toward the CNS.

Motor (efferent) nerves

Nerves that carry commands from the CNS to muscles and glands.

Mixed nerves

Nerves that contain both sensory and motor fibers.

Neuropathy

Damage or dysfunction of peripheral nerves, often causing numbness, weakness, or pain.

Sciatica

Pain radiating along the sciatic nerve, typically from the lower back down one leg.

Bell’s palsy

Sudden weakness or paralysis of facial muscles, usually on one side, caused by facial nerve inflammation.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

A condition caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist, leading to pain and numbness.

Guillain-Barré syndrome

A rare autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks peripheral nerves.

Neuralgia

Sharp, shocking nerve pain often caused by irritation or nerve damage.

Plexus

A network of intersecting nerves that serve specific regions of the body.

Vagus nerve

A cranial nerve (X) that controls parasympathetic activity in the heart, lungs, and digestive tract.

Monitored sedation

A medical technique using sedatives during procedures while continuously monitoring vital signs.

CMT disease

most common inherited neurological disorder; hammertoes, high foot arch, and foot drop

neuritis

nerve inflammation

neuralgia

sudden stabbing pain along nerve

trigeminal neuralgia

neuralgia involving cranial nerve V