somatic nervous system
the division of the peripheral nervous system that controls the body’s skeletal muscles
The somatic nervous system is responsible for controlling the voluntary movements of the skeletal muscles in our body. It is a part of the peripheral nervous system, which consists of all the nerves and ganglia outside of the brain and spinal cord. The somatic nervous system is composed of afferent (sensory) and efferent (motor) nerves that connect our muscles, skin, and sensory organs to the central nervous system.
When we want to move a muscle voluntarily, the somatic nervous system sends motor signals from the brain and spinal cord to the relevant muscles, stimulating them to contract and produce movement. Conversely, sensory signals from specialized receptors in the skin, muscles, and joints are transmitted back to the brain and spinal cord via afferent nerves, allowing us to experience sensations such as touch, pain, and temperature.
The somatic nervous system plays an essential role in our ability to carry out physical activities, from simple tasks like walking and pick up objects to complex movements like dancing and playing sports. It also works in conjunction with other systems in the body, such as the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system, to regulate our physical responses to external stimuli.
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