Which component of the nervous system transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body?

The peripheral nervous system is responsible for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. It includes all the nerves outside the central nervous system, which comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system connects the central nervous system to limbs and organs, facilitating communication and coordination between them. It plays a crucial role in both voluntary and involuntary actions, as it encompasses sensory neurons that carry information to the brain and motor neurons that transmit commands from the brain to various parts of the body.

Other components, such as the somatic nervous system and the central nervous system, have specific roles within the broader structure of the nervous system. For instance, although the somatic nervous system is part of the peripheral nervous system and is involved in voluntary control over skeletal muscles, it does not encompass all aspects of signal transmission. The cerebral cortex is a part of the brain that processes sensory information but does not directly transmit signals throughout the body.