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

The somatic nervous system causes contraction of skeletal muscles.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The autonomic nervous system regulates organ systems through circuits that resemble the reflexes described in the somatic nervous system.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The general senses also include the visceral senses, which are separate from the somatic nervous system function in that they do not normally rise to the level of conscious perception.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Voluntary responses are governed by the somatic nervous system and involuntary responses are governed by the autonomic nervous system, which are discussed in the next section.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The somatic nervous system is traditionally considered a division within the peripheral nervous system.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013