What does the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) consist of?

The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) is made up of cranial and spinal nerves that extend outside the brain and spinal cord. It functions to connect the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, to the rest of the body, facilitating communication between the CNS and limbs or organs. The cranial nerves directly emerge from the brain, while spinal nerves branch out from the spinal cord, serving various sensory and motor functions throughout the body. This intricate network is responsible for transmitting sensory information to the CNS and conveying motor commands to muscles and glands.

The other options do not accurately represent the composition of the PNS. The brain and spinal cord belong to the central nervous system, while connective tissues associated with nerves support and organize the peripheral structures but do not make up the PNS themselves. Additionally, neurons in the brain are part of the central nervous system and are not classified as peripheral. This reinforces that cranial and spinal nerves are the correct components of the Peripheral Nervous System.