somatic nervous system

British  

noun

1. physiol the section of the nervous system responsible for sensation and control of the skeletal muscles Compare autonomic nervous system

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somatic nervous system Cultural  

1. The part of the nervous system that controls voluntary movements in the body, such as those performed by the skeletal muscles (see muscular system). The somatic nervous system also includes the special nerve fibers that help keep the body in touch with its surroundings, such as those involved in touch, hearing, and sight.

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Example Sentences

When a threshold signal is detected, nerves of the somatic nervous system that innervate skeletal muscle are stimulated.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The motor components of the somatic nervous system begin with the frontal lobe of the brain, where the prefrontal cortex is responsible for higher functions such as working memory.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The nervous system can be divided into two functional parts: the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The somatic nervous system causes contraction of skeletal muscles.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The description of this withdrawal reflex was simplified, for the sake of the introduction, to emphasize the parts of the somatic nervous system.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013