The Peripheral Nervous System is formed by which components?

• A. Cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves
• B. Brain and spinal cord only
• C. Digestive tract nerves only
• D. Endocrine nerves

Answer: (A)

The Peripheral Nervous System includes all nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, linking the central nervous system to the rest of the body. It comprises the cranial nerves that arise from the brain, the spinal nerves that emerge from the spinal cord, and the autonomic nerves that regulate automatic functions, specifically the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. The brain and spinal cord belong to the Central Nervous System, so describing the PNS as only the CNS isn’t accurate. Likewise, narrowing to digestive tract nerves or calling something “endocrine nerves” doesn’t describe the full network of nerves in the PNS.