somatic nervous system

The somatic nervous system (SNS) is a part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements of the body by connecting the brain and spinal cord to skeletal muscles. It is responsible for carrying sensory information from the body to the brain (such as touch, pain, and temperature) and sending motor commands from the brain to the muscles for deliberate actions like walking, picking up objects, or talking. The SNS involves sensory (afferent) neurons and motor (efferent) neurons, allowing conscious control over movement and processing sensory inputs. Additionally, the SNS controls reflex arcs that enable quick, involuntary responses to stimuli without direct brain involvement. This system differs from the autonomic nervous system, which manages involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion. Damage to the somatic nervous system can lead to muscle weakness, numbness, and nerve pain.