What does the peripheral nervous system consist of?

The peripheral nervous system consists primarily of nerves that extend from the spinal cord to various parts of the body. This system is responsible for connecting the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, to limbs and organs, facilitating communication between the brain and the rest of the body. The peripheral nervous system includes both sensory and motor neurons, which help in transmitting sensory information to the central nervous system and relaying instructions back to muscles and glands.

In contrast, the other options affect understanding of the structure and function of the nervous system. For instance, nerves that connect the brain to internal organs fall under a specific category of the autonomic nervous system, while the nerves located in the spinal cord are part of the central nervous system itself, not the peripheral system. Lastly, while processing sensory information is indeed a function of the nervous system, it does not accurately describe the components and structure of the peripheral nervous system as a whole. Therefore, focusing on the connection from the spinal cord to the body rightfully captures the essence of the peripheral nervous system's anatomy.