parasympathetic nervous system
- parasympathetic nervous system
one of the two divisions of the
autonomic nervous system, having fibres 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.
Medical dictionary.
2011.
Look at other dictionaries:
Parasympathetic nervous system — The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is a division of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), along with the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and enteric nervous system (ENS or bowels NS ). The ANS is a subdivision of the peripheral nervous… … Wikipedia
Parasympathetic nervous system — A part of nervous system that serves to slow the heart rate, increase the intestinal and gland activity, and relax the sphincter muscles. The parasympathetic nervous system, together with the sympathetic nervous system (that accelerates the heart … Medical dictionary
parasympathetic nervous system — noun 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 • Syn:… … Useful english dictionary
parasympathetic nervous system — One of the two divisions of the vertebrate autonomic nervous sytem. Parasympathetic nerves emerge cranially as pre ganglionic fibres from oculomotor, facial, glossopharyngeal and vagus, and from the sacral region of the spinal cord. Most neurons… … Dictionary of molecular biology
parasympathetic nervous system — noun One of the divisions of the autonomic nervous system, based between the brain and the spinal cord, that slows the heart and relaxes muscles. See Also: central nervous system, enteric nervous system, sympathetic nervous system … Wiktionary
parasympathetic nervous system — one of the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system, having fibres 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… … The new mediacal dictionary
parasympathetic nervous system — noun Date: circa 1934 the part of the autonomic nervous system that contains chiefly cholinergic fibers, that tends to induce secretion, to increase the tone and contractility of smooth muscle, and to slow heart rate, and that consists of a… … New Collegiate Dictionary
parasympathetic nervous system — noun Physiology, Anatomy that part of the autonomic nervous system which consists of nerves arising from the cranial and sacral regions, and which functions in opposition to the sympathetic nervous system, thus inhibiting heartbeat, contracting… …
parasympathetic nervous system — The part of the nervous system that slows the heart, dilates blood vessels, decreases pupil size, increases digestive juices, and relaxes muscles in the gastrointestinal tract … English dictionary of cancer terms
nervous system, human — ▪ anatomy Introduction system that conducts stimuli from sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord and that conducts impulses back to other parts of the body. As with other higher vertebrates, the human nervous system has two main… … Universalium