Understanding Peripheral Systems and Their Importance

Peripheral refers to something that is located on the outskirts or edges of a particular area or system, as opposed to being central or core. In other words, it is something that is not directly involved in the main or primary activities, but rather is connected or related to them.

For example, in a company, the peripheral departments might include human resources, accounting, and legal, which are important but not directly involved in the core business activities. Similarly, in a computer network, the peripheral devices might include printers, scanners, and external hard drives, which are connected to the main computer but are not essential to its functioning.

In medicine, the term "peripheral" is often used to describe parts of the body that are located away from the central nervous system, such as the limbs, skin, and organs in the abdomen and pelvis. These areas are important, but they are not directly involved in the control of the body's functions, which are primarily controlled by the brain and spinal cord.