MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Part of your brain is always working, managing processes that keep you alive. Your brain needs your peripheral nervous system to control those functions. Examples of these processes include your heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and your gut’s digestion of food.

Detailed explanation-2: -The peripheral nervous system is divided into two main parts: Autonomic nervous system (ANS): Controls involuntary bodily functions and regulates glands. Somatic nervous system (SNS): Controls muscle movement and relays information from ears, eyes and skin to the central nervous system.

Detailed explanation-3: -The parasympathetic nervous system predominates in quiet “rest and digest” conditions while the sympathetic nervous system drives the “fight or flight” response in stressful situations. The main purpose of the PNS is to conserve energy to be used later and to regulate bodily functions like digestion and urination.

Detailed explanation-4: -There are two main divisions to the peripheral nervous system, the somatic and the autonomic. The somatic system involves the skeletal muscles and is considered voluntary since there is control over movement such as writing or throwing a ball.