What innervates the parietal layer of the peritoneum?

The parietal layer of the peritoneum is innervated by somatic nerves, which are responsible for conveying sensory information from the body wall and facilitating a conscious awareness of pain, temperature, and touch. Unlike the visceral layer of the peritoneum, which is innervated by autonomic nerves and typically senses less localized pain due to its association with internal organs, the parietal layer has a more precise sensory innervation that allows for sharp and well-localized pain sensations.

Somatic nerves arise from spinal nerves and provide sensory information from the skin, muscles, and underlying tissues that line the body cavities. This is why the correct choice is the somatic nerves, as they are vital for detecting and relaying sensations from the peritoneal cavity's walls.