Somatic Nervous System Functions
Somatic Nervous System is the nervous system that helps to sense or helps to make communication with the environment. So, for that purpose, Somatic Nervous System has two functions:
- Sense the Environment: Somatic Nervous System helps to sense the Environment. It helps to take the inputs from the environment. Whatever the input form is. That might be a touch, smell, noise, etc. All the inputs will be received by the Somatic Nervous System. The backside of the human will take the touch inputs using the Somatic Nervous System. Then they move to the spinal cord. From the spinal cord, it moves to the brain.
- Movement Of Body Parts: The human body movement is controlled by the Somatic Nervous System. The brain provides the command. Those commands using the Somatic Nervous System move to the targeted area. There, they help to move the muscles. The muscles will help to move the body part. In this way, the Somatic Nervous System helps to move the human body.
Reflex Action
Reflex actions are those actions that occurred involuntarily. If there is any threat or any proper stimulation, then without any command or signal, muscles play a prompt action. This action is known as the Reflex Action. There are many reflex actions are present. Like suddenly bringing any element near to the eye, will promptly close the eye. This is the reflex action. Mainly Somatic Nervous System controls the reflex action.
It is the combined work of Motor Neurons & Sensory Neurons. The Sensory Neurons will sense the stimulus & then send the electrical signal to the CNS. CNS receives the signal & then decodes them to read the message. After reading the message, it sends a signal to the targeted cells to perform a certain action. This signal is transported with the help of the Motor Neurons. Two types of reflex mechanisms are present. In one case, there is another neuron in between the Sensory Neuron & Motor Neuron. This neuron is present inside the spinal cord. This is known as Polysynaptic. As there is more than one synaptic cleft or neuron joining in this path. Another is Monosynaptic. In this case, the Sensory & Motor neurons connect directly inside the spinal cord. There is only one synaptic cleft present in this case.
Somatic Nervous System
The somatic nervous system (SNS) controls voluntary movements and reflex arcs by transmitting sensory information to the central nervous system (CNS) and motor commands from the CNS to skeletal muscles. It consists of motor neurons that stimulate muscle contractions and sensory neurons that relay information from sensory organs. The SNS enables conscious control over bodily movements and responds to external stimuli. It plays an important role in activities such as walking, grasping, and reflex actions.
In this article, we will study the somatic nervous system, its components, functions, mechanism of action and disorders in detail.
Table of Content
- What is the Somatic Nervous System?
- What is Somatic Nervous System Made of?
- Components of the Somatic Nervous System
- Sensory Neurons
- Motor Neurons
- Neuromuscular Junctions
- Sensory Receptors
- Spinal Cord
- Brainstem and Motor Cortex
- Cranial Nerves
- Types of Somatic Nervous System
- 1. Afferent (Sensory) Nerves
- 2. Efferent (Motor) Nerves
- 3. Interneurons
- Importance of the Somatic Nervous System
- Difference Between SNS and ANS
- Mechanism of Somatic Nervous System
- Somatic Nervous System Functions
- Disorders that Affect Somatic Nervous System
- Symptoms of Somatic Nervous System Disorders
- Treatments for Somatic Nervous System Disorders