Neuropathy involves disease or dysfunction of which structures?

• A. Central nervous system
• B. Autonomic nervous system
• C. Peripheral nerves
• D. Brain stem

Answer: (C)

Neuropathy is a disorder of the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nerves are all nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, and they carry sensory, motor, and autonomic signals to and from the body. When neuropathy occurs, it most directly involves these peripheral nerves, causing symptoms like numbness, tingling, weakness, or autonomic dysfunction. The brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) are not described as neuropathies; issues there lead to different terms such as myelopathy or encephalopathy. The brain stem is part of the central nervous system, so it’s not the target of neuropathy. While autonomic fibers can be involved in a neuropathy, the broad, correct target is the peripheral nerves.