autonomic nervous system (redirected from autonomic nervous systems)

autonomic nervous system

n.

The part of the vertebrate nervous system that regulates involuntary action, as of the intestines, heart, and glands, and that is divided into the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

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autonomic nervous system  (ôt-nmk)

The part of the vertebrate nervous system that regulates involuntary activity in the body by transmitting motor impulses to cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and the glands. The muscular activity of the heart and of the circulatory, digestive, respiratory, and urogenital systems is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is divided into two parts: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

autonomic nervous system - the part of the nervous system of vertebrates that controls involuntary actions of the smooth muscles and heart and glands ANS autonomic ganglion - any of the ganglia of the autonomic system whose unmyelinated fibers innervate the internal organs nervous system, systema nervosum - the sensory and control apparatus consisting of a network of nerve cells neural structure - a structure that is part of the nervous system sympathetic nervous system - originates in the thoracic regions of the spinal cord; opposes physiological effects of the parasympathetic: reduces digestive secretions; speeds the heart; contracts blood vessels parasympathetic, parasympathetic nervous system - originates in the brain stem and lower part of the spinal cord; opposes physiological effects of the sympathetic nervous system: stimulates digestive secretions; slows the heart; constricts the pupils; dilates blood vessels