Which subdivision of the Peripheral Nervous System connects the CNS to the heart and lungs?

The autonomic system is responsible for regulating involuntary physiological functions, including the actions of the heart and lungs. It is a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system that operates without conscious control, managing processes such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and digestion. Within the autonomic system, there are two main branches: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, which help maintain homeostasis and respond to stressors.

The other options, while related to the nervous system, serve different functions. The somatic system is primarily involved in voluntary muscle movements and the transmission of sensory information. Cranial nerves are a set of nerves that arise directly from the brain and primarily handle sensory and motor functions of the head and neck. Spinal nerves extend from the spinal cord and are involved in both sensory and motor information for the body but do not specifically connect to the heart and lungs in the same involuntary capacity as the autonomic system.