Final answer:
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is made up of cranial nerves and spinal nerves, connecting the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, to the rest of the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is comprised of the cranial nerves and spinal nerves. The PNS serves as a network that connects the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, to the rest of the body. The PNS includes not only the cranial and spinal nerves but also ganglia which serve as relay points. Cranial nerves emerge from the brain and are involved in sensory and motor functions of the head and neck. Spinal nerves connect to the spinal cord and carry sensory and motor information to the rest of the body.
The PNS is broken down into the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions, and the sensory-somatic nervous system, which transmits sensory information and motor commands. It is distinct from the CNS, which is protected within the bony structures of the skull and spinal column and consists solely of the brain and spinal cord.