Parasympathetic nervous system

Subsystem of the nervous systems that slows the heart rate and increases intestinal and gland activity and relaxes the sphincter muscles.

Part of the autonomic nervous system; regulates the body’s “rest and digest” responses.

The part of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that controls the life-sustaining organs of the body under normal, danger-free conditions. The parasympathetic nervous system uses chiefly acetylcholine as its neurotransmitter. Contrast with sympathetic nervous system.

Part of the nervous system involved in vegetative functions, especially digestion.

That part of the nervous system that slows the heart rate, increases intestinal (smooth muscle) and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles.

A part of the autonomic nervous system that tends to slow down actions of various organs.

One of two parts of the autonomic nervous system. Its messages reach the organs of the body through the cranial and sacral nerves to the eyes, the gastrointestinal system and other organs.

Part of the autonomic nervous system that includes nerve fibers originating in the cranial and sacral areas and terminating in glands and muscles; function is to slow the heart and stimulate peristalsis and vasodilation to conserve or restore body resources.

A division of the autonomic nervous system (part of the nervous system that controls unconscious body functions) that is dominant in the body’s normal, resting state (that is, in the absence of stress). Parasympathetic nerve activity includes narrowing the air passages in the lungs, constricting the pupils, decreasing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure, maintaining normal digestive activity, and enabling the bladder to empty.

One of the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system, having fibers that leave the central nervous system from the brain and the lower portion of the spinal cord and are distributed to blood vessels, glands, and the majority of internal organs. The system works in balance with the sympathetic nervous system, the actions of which it frequently opposes.

That part of the autonomic nervous system which is connected with the brain and spinal cord through certain nerve centres in the midbrain, medulla, and lower end of the cord. The nerves from these centres are carried in the third, seventh, ninth and tenth cranial nerves and the second, third and fourth sacral nerves. The action of the parasympathetic system is usually antagonistic to that of the sympathetic system. Thus it inhibits the action of the heart and augments the action of the intestine; whereas the sympathetic augments the action of the heart and inhibits that of the-intestine.

The craniosacral division of the autonomic nervous system. Preganglionic fibers originate from nuclei in the midbrain, medulla, and sacral portion of the spinal cord. They pass through the third, seventh, ninth, and tenth cranial nerves and the second, third, and fourth sacral nerves, and synapse with postganglionic neurons located in autonomic (terminal) ganglia that lie in the walls of or near the organ innervated.

The branch of the autonomic nervous system that tends to slow the heart, constrict the pupils, and promote digestive and sexual functions.

The segment of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the preservation and replenishment of energy is known as the conservatory component. This particular division of the nervous system takes prominence during periods of repose, signifying its role in fostering a state of relaxation.