What is included in the peripheral nervous system?

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) consists of all the nerves that branch out from the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord. The primary role of the PNS is to connect the CNS to the limbs and organs, facilitating communication between the body and the central nervous system.

Nerves are the essential components of the PNS; they carry signals to and from different parts of the body, allowing for motor control and sensory information processing. In contrast, the brain and spinal cord are part of the CNS, and blood vessels, while also essential for bodily functions, do not form part of the nervous system structure itself. Consequently, the inclusion of nerves illustrates the PNS's critical role in overall neural communication and functionality.