Peripheral Nervous System Flashcards

Flashcards covering the structure and function of the peripheral nervous system.

Nerves

A group of axons of different neurons bundled together and protected by connective tissue.

Sensory nerves

Transmit impulses from the receptors to the CNS.

Motor nerves

Transmit impulses from the CNS to effectors.

Mixed nerves

Have sensory and motor nerves that transmit impulses in both directions.

Cranial nerves

12 pairs of nerves distributed around the head, neck and some areas of the digestive, circulatory and respiratory systems, connecting the brain to these organs without passing through the spinal cord.

Spinal nerves

31 pairs of nerves connecting the spinal cord with the torso and limbs, divided into cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal.

PNS divisions

Two subsystems of the PNS: somatic nervous system and autonomic (or vegetative) nervous system.