What is the main function of the somatic nervous system?

The main function of the somatic nervous system is to control voluntary movements of skeletal muscles. This system is a key component of the peripheral nervous system and is responsible for facilitating purposeful movements by transmitting signals from the central nervous system to the muscles that are under conscious control. When you decide to move your arm or your leg, it is the somatic nervous system that carries the commands that initiate and regulate these actions.

In relation to the other options, regulating internal body conditions relates more to the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions such as heart rate and digestion. Processing emotional responses is primarily linked to other areas of the nervous system, particularly parts of the limbic system, which deal with emotions and memory. Lastly, maintaining balance in body systems is typically associated with homeostatic mechanisms controlled by the autonomic nervous system rather than the somatic nervous system.