Which part of the nervous system controls voluntary movement?

• A. Autonomic
• B. Sensory
• C. Central
• D. Somatic

Answer: (D)

Voluntary movement is driven by the somatic nervous system, a branch of the peripheral nervous system. It carries motor commands from the brain and spinal cord to skeletal muscles, allowing you to consciously decide to move and to perform actions like waving a hand or walking. The autonomic nervous system handles involuntary functions such as heartbeat and digestion, not deliberate muscle actions. The sensory system deals with sensing and processing input from the environment, while the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) serves as the processing center that plans and coordinates movements. The somatic system is the direct pathway that executes voluntary muscle activity, making it the best answer.