Which nervous system controls involuntary muscles?

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling involuntary muscles, which play essential roles in the body without our conscious effort. This system regulates bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate by managing the activities of smooth muscles found in organs, blood vessels, and glands. Unlike the somatic nervous system, which governs voluntary muscle movements (like those used for walking or typing), the autonomic nervous system operates automatically, maintaining homeostasis and responding to internal and external stimuli without the need for conscious thought.

The central nervous system, composed of the brain and spinal cord, integrates sensory information and coordinates voluntary responses but does not directly control involuntary muscles. The peripheral nervous system encompasses all the nerves outside of the central nervous system, including both the autonomic and somatic systems, but it is the autonomic component specifically that deals with involuntary muscle control.