What is the Peripheral Nervous System?

The nervous system is responsible for sending, receiving, and interpreting information from all parts of the body. This system can be divided into two parts: the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system. Cells of the peripheral nervous system carry information to and from the central nervous system.

The peripheral nervous system is divided into two main systems:

• Sensory Nervous System - sends information to the central nervous system from internal organs or from external stimuli.
  
  
• Motor Nervous System - carries information from the central nervous system to organs, muscles, and glands.
  

To learn more about the nervous system, see nervous tissue.