Autonomic nervous system
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Blue = parasympathetic
Red = sympathetic
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls the body's internal conditions.
Sometimes called the 'visceral nervous system' or 'voluntary nervous system', it is part of the peripheral nervous system.
Most of its activities are done without conscious control or sensation, but some work together with the conscious mind, such as breathing.
The ANS has many effects, including: heart rate, digestion, respiration rate, salivation, perspiration, diameter of the pupils, the discharge of urine, and erection.
The ANS is divided into two sub-sections:
- The sympathetic nervous system which causes the body to become more active as in the "fight or flight" response.
- The parasympathetic nervous system which is mostly involved in "rest and digest".
[change] Other websites
- Overview at arizona.edu
- ANS Medical Notes on rahulgladwin.com
- Explanations on the ANS by Dyansys, Inc.
[change] Further reading
- Michael D. Gershon 1998. The second brain. HarperCollins, New York.
