Vetinerary Assistant Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a division of the nervous system?

1. Central

2. Peripheral

3. Autonomic

4. Digestive

The correct answer is: Digestive

The correct answer is that the digestive system is not a division of the nervous system. The nervous system is primarily categorized into three main divisions: the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord; the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which includes all the nerves that branch out from the CNS to the rest of the body; and the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate and digestion. The digestive system, while controlled in part by the autonomic nervous system (specifically the enteric nervous system that governs gut function), is primarily an organ system responsible for processing food and nutrients and is not a division of the nervous system itself. Understanding these divisions helps clarify the organization and function of the nervous system in relation to other bodily systems.