True or false: The peripheral nervous system includes somatic, autonomic, and enteric systems.

The statement is true because the peripheral nervous system (PNS) encompasses all the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, and it is indeed divided into three main systems: the somatic, autonomic, and enteric systems.

The somatic nervous system is responsible for voluntary movements and the relay of sensory information to the central nervous system. It controls skeletal muscles and is involved in actions like walking or picking up an object. The autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate, and it operates largely below the level of consciousness. This system is further divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, which manage the fight-or-flight response and rest-and-digest processes, respectively. Lastly, the enteric nervous system governs the functions of the gastrointestinal tract, working autonomously to manage digestion and gut motility.

Therefore, since all three systems—somatic, autonomic, and enteric—are integral components of the peripheral nervous system, the answer is indeed true.