peripheral nervous system
Definition
Noun: The part of the nervous system that consists of the nerves and ganglia outside of the brain and spinal cord. It connects the central nervous system to the limbs and organs, essentially serving as a communication relay.
Examples
- The peripheral nervous system transmits sensory information to the brain and carries motor commands to the muscles.
- Damage to a nerve in the peripheral nervous system can cause localized numbness or weakness.
- The study focused on how diseases affect the peripheral nervous system.
Advanced Usage
- Clinical Context: Often abbreviated as PNS in medical literature. Disorders affecting it are called peripheral neuropathies.
- Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication that damages the peripheral nervous system.
Variants and Related Words
- Peripheral nerve (n): An individual nerve that is part of the peripheral nervous system.
- The surgeon carefully repaired the damaged peripheral nerve.
- Peripheral neuropathy (n): A condition resulting from damage to the peripheral nerves.
- Chemotherapy can sometimes cause peripheral neuropathy.
Synonyms
- None that are exact. It is a specific anatomical term. Descriptive phrases include "the nervous system outside the brain and spine."
Related Phrases
- Somatic nervous system: A subdivision of the PNS associated with voluntary control of body movements.
- Autonomic nervous system: A subdivision of the PNS that regulates involuntary body functions (e.g., heart rate, digestion).
Noun
-
the section of the nervous system lying outside the brain and spinal cord
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