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Peripheral Nervous System

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is a network of nerves that serves the arms, legs, and organs. Is one of two key parts of the body’s nervous system. The other main part of the body’s nervous system is the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain and the spinal cord.

While the peripheral nervous system resides outside of the central nervous system, the two systems work in conjunction with each other. How? The peripheral nervous system connects the brain and spinal cord to the limbs and organs. In this way, the brain and spinal cord (also known as the central nervous system) are able to communicate with the rest of the body, providing it with important functions like feeling, movement, and regulation of the organs.

The nerves of the peripheral nervous system – appropriately called the peripheral nerves – can be divided into two subcategories: the sensory nerves and the motor nerves. While the sensory nerves carry information from external stimuli to the spinal cord and brain, motor nerves do the opposite, carrying information from the brain and spinal cord to organs, muscles, and glands.

Motor nerves can be further classified as those in the somatic nervous system (SNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). A few functions that the somatic nerves control include:

• Smell, taste, tongue muscles, and chewing
• Sight and eye muscles
• Hearing and balance

Meanwhile, the autonomic nerves control the following and more:

• Digestion
• Salivation
• Respiration
• Heart rate
• Perspiration
• Urination

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The autonomic nervous system can be divided even further. It is made up of the sympathetic nervous system, which generally controls the “fight or flight” functions of our body, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which generally controls the “rest and digest” functions of our body.

As you can see, the body’s nervous system is complex and yet plays a crucial part in our body’s ability to function. Any constriction or pressure on nerves in the spinal column can lead to painful and debilitating symptoms, limiting your ability to live a full life. If your physician has diagnosed you with a condition of the spinal column such as spinal arthritis or foraminal stenosis, and conventional treatment methods have proven ineffective, you may want to explore the progressive, endoscopic procedures at Laser Spine Institute (LSI). Contact us today for more information about our minimally-invasive, laser-assisted surgeries, and for a free review of your MRI or CT scan.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.