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peripheral nervous system
noun
: the part of the nervous system that is outside the central nervous system and comprises the cranial nerves excepting the optic nerve, the spinal nerves, and the autonomic nervous system
Examples of peripheral nervous system in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The drug works on the peripheral nervous system and therefore avoids the potential for addiction that comes with the opioids.
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Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Researchers discovered that a category of proteins named Nav were expressed in the peripheral nervous system, but not the brain.
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Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
The wave of prions slowly accumulates, spreading through the spleen and the lymph nodes and through the peripheral nervous system into the central nervous system.
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Sophie Hartley, Scientific American, 10 Jan. 2025
This changes how your brain and peripheral nervous system respond to pain, providing relief.
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Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 3 Jan. 2025
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Word History
First Known Use
1846, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of peripheral nervous system was
in 1846
Dictionary Entries Near peripheral nervous system
Cite this Entry
“Peripheral nervous system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peripheral%20nervous%20system. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
peripheral nervous system
noun
: the part of the nervous system that is outside the central nervous system and is made up of the autonomic nervous system, the spinal nerves, and the cranial nerves except the optic nerve
Medical Definition
peripheral nervous system
noun
: the part of the nervous system that is outside the central nervous system and comprises the cranial nerves excepting the optic nerve, the spinal nerves, and the autonomic nervous system
More from Merriam-Webster on peripheral nervous system
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about peripheral nervous system
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