Somatic Nervous System

Definition

The somatic nervous system is the division of the peripheral nervous system that is responsible for controlling the voluntary movement of the skeletal muscles and transmitting sensory information from the external environment to the central nervous system.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The somatic nervous system is responsible for the voluntary control of the skeletal muscles, allowing for movements like walking, running, and lifting objects.
2. Sensory information from the skin, muscles, joints, and other parts of the body is transmitted to the central nervous system through the somatic nervous system, enabling our awareness of the external environment and our body's position and movements.
3. The somatic nervous system works in conjunction with the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions like heart rate, breathing, and digestion.
4. Damage or dysfunction in the somatic nervous system can lead to impaired movement, loss of sensation, and other neurological issues.
5. The somatic nervous system is essential for maintaining balance, coordination, and fine motor skills, which are crucial for daily activities and physical performance.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of the somatic nervous system in muscle tissue and motion.
  • The somatic nervous system is responsible for the voluntary control of skeletal muscle movement. It transmits signals from the central nervous system to the skeletal muscles, allowing for purposeful and coordinated movements. This includes actions like walking, running, lifting objects, and performing fine motor skills. The somatic nervous system works closely with the muscle tissue to enable the contraction and relaxation of the muscles, which is essential for producing motion and maintaining physical function.
• Describe how the somatic nervous system is involved in the overview of muscle tissues.
  • The somatic nervous system plays a crucial role in the overview of muscle tissues by facilitating the communication between the central nervous system and the skeletal muscles. It transmits signals that stimulate the contraction of muscle fibers, enabling the various types of muscle tissues, such as skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle, to perform their specialized functions. This integration of the somatic nervous system and muscle tissues is essential for maintaining posture, generating force, and coordinating complex movements.
• Analyze the relationship between the somatic nervous system and the basic structure and function of the nervous system.
  • The somatic nervous system is a key component of the overall nervous system structure and function. As part of the peripheral nervous system, the somatic division is responsible for the voluntary control of the skeletal muscles and the transmission of sensory information from the external environment to the central nervous system. This bidirectional communication between the somatic nervous system and the central nervous system is essential for maintaining awareness of our surroundings, coordinating movements, and integrating sensory and motor information to facilitate appropriate physiological responses and behaviors.

Related terms

Peripheral Nervous System: The part of the nervous system that consists of the nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord, including the somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

Voluntary Movement: Movement that is consciously controlled and directed, as opposed to involuntary or reflexive movements.

Sensory Information: Data received by the sensory receptors in the body, such as touch, temperature, and proprioception, which is then transmitted to the central nervous system for processing.