Development Of The Central Nervous System Practice Test

The visceral nervous system refers to the part of the nervous system that controls the internal organs and other automatic functions without conscious input. This is the autonomic nervous system, which manages activities like heart rate, digestion, respiration, and glandular output through its sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. The enteric nervous system is a specialized network within the gut that can operate somewhat independently, but it is considered part of the autonomic system rather than a separate overall system. In contrast, the somatic nervous system controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles, and the central nervous system encompasses the brain and spinal cord where many integrative processes occur. So, the autonomic nervous system is the best fit for the visceral nervous system.