Peripheral Neuropathy

The Peripheral Nerves

What are the Peripheral Nerves?
Anatomically speaking, “peripheral” means on the outside. The peripheral nerves, along with a mass of cells, build the peripheral nervous system located outside of the skull and the spinal column. They are not protected like the Central Nervous System (CNS), which resides within the cranium and spinal column. The peripheral nerves connect the CNS to the organs and limbs. With this design, the peripheral nerves are left exposed to all sorts of bad things including toxins and higher risks of injuries, whether work-related or from sports or automobile trauma.

What do the Peripheral Nerves Do?
The peripheral nervous system consists of cells that deliver information to and from the Central Nervous System. These motor, sensory and autonomic nerves connect your spinal cord to your muscles, skin, and internal organs. When you touch something hot or cold, the sensory nerves shoot a lightning-fast message to your brain about the sensation. The autonomic nerves affect the heart rate, digestion, respiration and so forth. And, of course, the motor nerves assist in your movements.