Chapter 13, Problem 2CYR

Summary Introduction

To review:

Whether the following statements are true or false:

1. The somatic sensory division of the PNS detects sensory stimuli from the organs in the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

2. The somatic motor division of the PNS consists of lower motor neurons that directly innervate the skeletal muscle fibers.

3. The visceral motor division is also known as the autonomic nervous system and maintains homeostasis of many physiological variables.

4. The term ‘nerve’ is the equivalent of the term ‘neuron’.

5. There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 pairs of cranial nerves.

Introduction:

The peripheral nervous system acts as a link which bridges the CNS (central nervous system) with the body and outer environment. In order to link them, it first detects the sensory parts of the stimuli and carries them to the CNS as a sensory input. The CNS works on the input and then distributes the impulses by means of the PNS (peripheral nervous system) to the effectors to generate a motor output. In this case, the effectors are the muscle cells and glands.