---
title: "Somatic Nervous System — AP Psychology Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "The somatic nervous system is the part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary skeletal muscle movement, and it's how your brain turns a decision into an action on the AP Psych exam."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/somatic-nervous-system"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Psychology"
---

# Somatic Nervous System — AP Psychology Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

The somatic nervous system is a part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements of skeletal muscles.

## Related Study Guides

- [2.3 Overview of the Nervous System and the Neuron](/ap-psych-revised/unit-2/review/study-guide/6LIggXCKrR2TfcynGNdN)

## Review

### Related Terms

- Motor Neurons: These are nerve cells forming part of a pathway along which impulses pass from the brain or spinal cord to a muscle or gland.
- Sensory Neurons: These neurons transmit sensory information (sight, sound, feeling) from receptors detecting external and internal stimuli to the central nervous system.
- Reflex Arc: This is a neural pathway that controls reflex actions. In this case, it allows an immediate response without conscious thought.