What does the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) consist of?

The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) is composed of cranial and spinal nerves that lie outside the brain and spinal cord, which are part of the Central Nervous System (CNS). The primary role of the PNS is to connect the CNS to the limbs and organs, essentially acting as a communication system between the brain and the rest of the body. This includes both sensory and motor pathways that facilitate the transmission of information to and from the brain.

Understanding that the PNS includes these nerves helps clarify its function in controlling voluntary and involuntary actions. Cranial nerves manage functions related to the head and neck, while spinal nerves serve different regions of the body, enabling reflexes and other bodily responses.

The options that refer to the brain and spinal cord or just the spinal cord alone are related to the Central Nervous System, which is distinct from the PNS. Therefore, focusing on cranial and spinal nerves aligns accurately with the definition and structure of the PNS.