Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Overview
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls automatic bodily functions that we are not consciously aware of. It is divided into the sympathetic division, which triggers fight-or-flight responses during exercise or in emergencies, and the parasympathetic division, which promotes “rest and digest” activities during relaxation. These two divisions work together to maintain bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and metabolism.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, students will be able to:
- explain the two general divisions of the nervous system.
- describe the differences between the neurons in the somatic motor system and those found in the ANS.
- explain the types of bodily processes that are controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system.
- explain the types of bodily processes that are controlled by the sympathetic nervous system.
Video Review
Watch the video: The Autonomic Nervous System: Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions (7 minutes)
Activities
Flash Cards
Specific Terms
Chapter Attributions
This chapter by Elisabeth Kehrli and Anil Kapoor is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Media Attributions
The Autonomic Nervous System: Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions by Professor Dave Explains is licensed under the Standard YouTube license.
Interactive Activity Attributions
The interactive activities in this chapter are from Interactive Activities for Human Anatomy and Physiology by Open Education Lab, Ontario Tech University, licensed under a CC BY NC SA 4.0 license, and Pathology by Jennifer Kong; Helen Dyck; and Zoë Soon, licensed under a CC BY NC 4.0 license.