Parasympathetic Nervous System
Parasympathetic Nervous System
The Parasympathetic Nervous System (pronunciation: para-sim-pa-thet-ic nerv-us sis-tem) is a part of the Autonomic Nervous System that controls and regulates the internal organs without any conscious recognition.
Etymology
The term "Parasympathetic" is derived from the Greek words "para", meaning "beside", and "sympatheia", meaning "sympathy". This term was first used in the late 19th century to describe the system that works in opposition to the Sympathetic Nervous System.
Function
The Parasympathetic Nervous System is responsible for stimulating "rest-and-digest" or "feed and breed" activities that occur when the body is at rest, especially after eating, including sexual arousal, salivation, lacrimation (tears), urination, digestion and defecation. Its action is described as being complementary to that of the Sympathetic Nervous System, which is responsible for stimulating activities associated with the fight-or-flight response.
Related Terms
- Autonomic Nervous System
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Central Nervous System
- Peripheral Nervous System
See Also
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