Types of Somatic Nervous System
The somatic nervous system (SNS) is a part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for voluntary control of body movements through skeletal muscles. It consists of afferent (sensory) nerves and efferent (motor) nerves. The main types within the somatic nervous system are:
1. Afferent (Sensory) Nerves
These nerves carry sensory information from the body to the central nervous system (CNS). They are responsible for transmitting information about external stimuli such as touch, pain, temperature, and body position.
- Exteroceptors: Receptors that respond to stimuli originating from outside the body, such as touch, pressure, pain, and temperature.
- Proprioceptors: Receptors that detect the position and movement of the body, located in muscles, tendons, and joints.
2. Efferent (Motor) Nerves
These nerves carry motor commands from the CNS to the muscles. They control voluntary muscle movements.
- Alpha Motor Neurons: Large neurons that innervate extrafusal muscle fibers, which are responsible for the contraction of muscles and the generation of force.
- Gamma Motor Neurons: Smaller neurons that innervate intrafusal muscle fibers, which are part of the muscle spindle and help regulate muscle tone and sensitivity to stretch.
3. Interneurons
These neurons are found within the CNS and connect sensory and motor pathways. They play an important role in reflexes and higher-order processing.
Also Read: What is a neural network
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