Final answer:
The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) is the network of nervous tissue within the wall of the alimentary canal responsible for controlling digestion independently of the CNS and is part of the PNS.
Step-by-step explanation:
The network of nervous tissue within the wall of the alimentary canal is called the Enteric Nervous System (ENS). The ENS is a specialized part of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) that is responsible for the autonomous control of digestion. It operates independently of the Central Nervous System (CNS) but is sometimes considered to be part of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), as it regulates digestion along with ANS structures. This system includes various neural plexuses, such as the myenteric plexuses, that control functions like muscle contraction and gut motility directly within the digestive tract.