What is "somatic nervous system"?

The somatic nervous system, as part of the peripheral nervous system, enables conscious control over body movements and processes sensory information from external stimuli. It encompasses the motor neurons that send signals from the central nervous system to the skeletal muscles, allowing us to perform deliberate actions. Additionally, it includes the sensory neurons that transmit information from the body's sensory receptors, such as touch, temperature, and pain, to the brain for perception and response. The somatic nervous system plays a crucial role in our ability to interact with the external world and engage in voluntary behaviors.