What is the name of the nervous system that transmits messages to the central nervous system?

The nervous system that transmits messages to the central nervous system is known as the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). This system serves as a communication network that relays sensory information from the body and external environment to the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. The PNS is composed of nerves that branch out from the central nervous system to various parts of the body, enabling the transmission of signals for both voluntary and involuntary actions.

Understanding this distinction is critical, as the central nervous system is responsible for processing and interpreting the information it receives, while the peripheral nervous system plays a vital role in gathering that information and sending it where it needs to go. The PNS encompasses both the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions, and the somatic nervous system, which controls voluntary movements.