peripheral nervous system

noun

1. the portion of the nervous system lying outside the brain and spinal cord.

peripheral nervous system

1. The part of the nervous system in vertebrate animals that lies outside of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). It includes the nerves that extend to the limbs and many sense organs.
2. Compare central nervous system

peripheral nervous system

1. The nerves outside of the central nervous system that make up part of the vertebrate nervous system .

Word History and Origins

Origin of peripheral nervous system¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Leprosy primarily affects the skin and peripheral nervous system, causing physical deformity and desensitizing one’s ability to feel pain on affected skin.

From Salon

The peripheral nervous system is made up of all the nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord to give us sensation throughout our bodies.

From Science Daily

“We could have an implant in the peripheral nervous system.”

From Scientific American

This suggested PGE2 was instead being detected by the peripheral nervous system, which consists of the neurons outside the brain and spinal cord.

From Science Magazine

The radial nerve is part of the peripheral nervous system.

From Washington Post