peripheral nervous system

noun

: the part of the nervous system that is outside the central nervous system and comprises the cranial nerves excepting the optic nerve, the spinal nerves, and the autonomic nervous system

Examples of peripheral nervous system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The drug works on the peripheral nervous system and therefore avoids the potential for addiction that comes with the opioids. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

Researchers discovered that a category of proteins named Nav were expressed in the peripheral nervous system, but not the brain. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025

The wave of prions slowly accumulates, spreading through the spleen and the lymph nodes and through the peripheral nervous system into the central nervous system. —Sophie Hartley, Scientific American, 10 Jan. 2025

This changes how your brain and peripheral nervous system respond to pain, providing relief. —Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

peripheral nervous system

noun

: the part of the nervous system that is outside the central nervous system and is made up of the autonomic nervous system, the spinal nerves, and the cranial nerves except the optic nerve

Medical Definition

peripheral nervous system

noun

: the part of the nervous system that is outside the central nervous system and comprises the cranial nerves excepting the optic nerve, the spinal nerves, and the autonomic nervous system