peripheral nervous system

those parts of the NERVOUS SYSTEM excluding the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM ( BRAIN and SPINAL CORD ). It comprises the afferent ( SENSORY ) and EFFERENT (motor) nerves, which include 12 pairs of CRANIAL NERVES and 31 pairs of spinal nerves. The motor nervous system then comprises the SOMATIC nervous system, carrying impulses to the skeletal muscles, and the AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM , which is further divided into the SYMPATHETIC and the PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEMS .