Somatic Nervous System: What It Is And Function

To understand what the somatic nervous system is, we must first know that the nervous system It is divided into two main parts:

• The central nervous system, made up of the brain and spinal cord.
• The peripheral nervous system, which contains those nerves that are not found in the central nervous system. He somatic nervous system along with the autonomic nervous system, is part of the peripheral nervous system.

Somatic nervous system: definition

What do we call the somatic nervous system? He somatic nervous system It is a part of the nervous system made up of different structures responsible for transmitting information.

This system is responsible for maintaining the communication of sensory and motor information with the brain and spinal cord, that is, with the central nervous system.

Parts of the somatic nervous system

He somatic nervous system is formed by the set of neurons that connect the skin, muscles, and sensory organs with the central nervous system. The somatic system is made up of two types of neurons:

• The sensory neurons : They are related to the senses and perception.
• The motor neurons : They are related to movement.

The direction of information transmission is bidirectional since sensory neurons are afferent and transport nerve impulses to the central nervous system, while motor neurons are efferent and conduct these impulses from the brain and spinal cord to the skeletal muscles.

What is the function of the somatic nervous system? What is the somatic nervous system responsible for? The process of functioning of the somatic nervous system normally begins with the transmission of sensory information captured by sensory neurons to the central nervous system, where it is processed by the brain. Once interpreted by the central nervous system, it sends a series of signals or orders through motor neurons to the organs and skeletal muscles. Based on this scheme, the somatic nervous system carries out a series of functions of vital importance for the correct functioning of the body:

• The main function of the somatic nervous system is to communication and connection between the central nervous system and the organs, skin and muscles of the body.
• Transmit the information coming from the sensory receptors, conscious and unconscious, to the central nervous system.
• Drive orders and decisions from the brain to the skeletal muscles.
• This system allows both the interpretation of stimuli, through sensory neurons, and the production of responses based on the processing of this information through motor neurons. Therefore, the somatic nervous system enables relationship and adaptation to the environment
• Thanks to the sensory neurons of the somatic nervous system, the brain can capture smells, flavors, sounds etc.
• Another function of this system is the nociception that is, the transmission of information about pain and temperature to the brain, with the aim of activating responses on its part that favor survival.
• The voluntary movements and complex actions are regulated and controlled by this system, for example writing or running. This is possible by contraction of the skeletal muscles.
• Likewise, involuntary movements or reflex acts are another function of the somatic nervous system. These acts are carried out when nervous, sensory and motor pathways connect directly with the spinal cord.
• Another function of the somatic nervous system is proprioception , the process by which the body is informed about the state or position of the muscles. This function allows balance and coordination, among others.

Both the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system are part of the so-called peripheral nervous system. Despite this, they are not equal. Below we present the differences between somatic and autonomic nervous system :

• The somatic nervous system is mainly responsible for voluntary movements and, to a lesser extent, also for reflex acts. Instead, the autonomic nervous system is responsible for involuntary functions those that do not require conscious control, such as breathing and digestion.
• Another function of the somatic nervous system is sensory, the autonomic nervous system lacks it.
• The somatic nervous system is a system with two pathways, afferent and efferent, so information and nervous impulses flow in both directions between the central nervous system and this one. However, in the autonomic nervous system, nervous impulses are transmitted from the brain and spinal cord to it, it is therefore a efferent only system
• The autonomic nervous system is functionally divided into two other systems, the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, while the somatic nervous system is unitary.
• The somatic nervous system is made up of spinal and cranial nerves. The autonomic nervous system is made up of roots, plexuses and nerve trunks
• The action of the somatic nervous system is always excitatory on the skeletal muscles, but that of the autonomic nervous system can be excitatory or inhibitory.

Below we list and explain some of the most common diseases or conditions of the somatic nervous system:

1. Herniated disc: It occurs when a disc in the spinal column moves to the spinal nerves, putting pressure on it and generating pain, numbness and/or loss of sensitivity.
2. Radial nerve palsy: Known as “dropped hand”, it is a pathology that affects the nerve that controls the muscles that allow the extension of the arm. This paralysis causes the inability to extend the wrist, so it hangs.
3. Carpal tunnel syndrome: pressure on the nerve in the wrist, causing numbness and loss of movement in the palm and fingers. This syndrome is associated with people who normally work with their hands making repetitive movements.
4. Neuralgia: It is caused by damage or irritation to the nerves, causing an intense and intermittent sensation of pain and shock.
5. Spinal stenosis: narrowing of the spinal cord canal that houses the nerves. This causes weakness, cramps, numbness or numbness in the neck and back.
6. Guillain Barre syndrome: disorder in which the immune system itself mistakenly attacks the nerves. The first manifestations are tingling and weakness in the extremities, spreading rapidly and producing paralysis in the body, which subsides with treatment.

This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

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