PNS (peripheral nervous system)

PNS (peripheral nervous system)
That portion of the nervous system that is outside the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is one of the two major divisions of the nervous system. The other is the central nervous system (CNS) which is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The nerves in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) connect the central nervous system (CNS) to sensory organs (such as the eye and ear), other organs of the body, muscles, blood vessels and glands. The peripheral nerves include the 12 cranial nerves, the spinal nerves and roots, and what are called the autonomic nerves. The autonomic nerves are concerned with automatic functions of the body. Specifically, autonomic nerves are involved with the regulation of the heart muscle, the tiny muscles lining the walls of blood vessels, and glands. "Peripheral" in anatomy and medicine (as elsewhere) is the opposite of "central." It means situated away from the center. The word "peripheral" comes from the Greek "peripheria" ("peri-", around or about + "pherein", to bear, carry). An IV (intravenous) catheter is a peripheral line.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • peripheral nervous system — n the part of the nervous system that is outside the central nervous system and comprises the cranial nerves excepting the optic nerve, the spinal nerves, and the autonomic nervous system * * * (PNS) the part of the nervous system consisting of… …   Medical dictionary

  • Peripheral nervous system — The peripheral nervous system (PNS) resides or extends outside the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord. The main function of the PNS is to connect the CNS to the limbs and organs. Unlike the central nervous… …   Wikipedia

  • Peripheral nervous system (PNS) — That portion of the nervous system that is outside the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is one of the two major divisions of the nervous system. The other is the central nervous system (CNS) which is made up of the brain …   Medical dictionary

  • Connective tissue in the peripheral nervous system — A peripheral nerve contains two types of tissue:(1) nerve fibers, and (2) connective tissue. Dendrites and axons with schwann cells and myelin sheath are surrounded by connective tissue. A nerve fiber in the peripheral nervous system consists of… …   Wikipedia

  • Nervous system — Nerve redirects here. For other uses, see Nerve (disambiguation). This article is about the nervous system. For parts of the nervous system commonly called nerves, see Peripheral nerve. Nervous system The Human N …   Wikipedia

  • Nervous system, peripheral (PNS) — That portion of the nervous system that is outside the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is one of the two major divisions of the nervous system. The other is the central nervous system (CNS) which is made up of the brain …   Medical dictionary

  • System, peripheral nervous (PNS) — That portion of the nervous system that is outside the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is one of the two major divisions of the nervous system. The other is the central nervous system (CNS) which is made up of the brain …   Medical dictionary

  • Nervous system, central (CNS) — That part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and spinal cord. The central nervous system (CNS) is one of the two major divisions of the nervous system. The other is the peripheral nervous system (PNS), that part of the nervous… …   Medical dictionary

  • Nervous system neoplasm — Classification and external resources ICD 10 C69 C72 D31 D …   Wikipedia

  • Nervous system disease — Classification and external resources ICD 10 G00 G99 ICD 9 …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”