What is the difference in function of the sympathetic and parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system?
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The autonomic nervous system regulates a variety of body process that takes place without conscious effort. The autonomic system is the part of the peripheral nervous system that is responsible for regulating involuntary body functions, such as heartbeat, blood flow, breathing, and digestion. Show
OverviewThis system is further divided into three branches: the sympathetic system, the parasympathetic system, and the enteric nervous system.
How It WorksThe autonomic nervous system operates by receiving information from the environment and from other parts of the body. The sympathetic and parasympathetic systems tend to have opposing actions in which one system will stimulate a response where the other will inhibit it. Traditionally, stimulation has been thought to take place through the sympathetic system while inhibition was thought to occur via the parasympathetic system. However many exceptions to this have been found. Today, the sympathetic system is viewed as a quickly responding system that mobilizes the body for action where the parasympathetic system is believed to act much more slowly to dampen responses. For example, the sympathetic nervous system will act to raise blood pressure while the parasympathetic nervous system will act to lower it. The two systems work in conjunction to manage the body’s responses depending upon the situation and need. If, for example, you are facing a threat and need to flee, the sympathetic system will quickly mobilize your body to take action. Once the threat has passed, the parasympathetic system will then start to dampen these responses, slowly returning your body to its normal, resting state. FunctionsThe autonomic system controls a variety of internal processes including:
The autonomic nerve pathways connect different organs to the brain stem or spinal cord. There are also two key neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers, that are important for communication within the autonomic nervous system:
Potential ProblemsWhen the parasympathetic and sympathetic components of the autonomic nervous systems become out of sync, people can experience an autonomic disorder, also called dysautonomia. There are numerous types of autonomic disorders, each with its own unique set of symptoms, including:
These disorders can occur alone, or as a result of other conditions that cause disruption in the autonomic nervous system, including:
SymptomsIf you or someone you love is experiencing disruptions in the autonomic nervous system, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms. Some people experience one cluster of symptoms at one time, and another set of symptoms at other times. The symptoms can be fleeting and unpredictable or triggered by specific situations or actions, like after ingesting certain foods or after standing up quickly.
Diagnosis and TreatmentDiagnosis of an autonomic disorder requires a doctor's evaluation, which may include a physical examination, recording blood pressure when the patient is both lying down and standing, testing of the sweat response, and an electrocardiogram. Diagnosing an autonomic disorder is often tricky since both the physical exam and laboratory tests can come back normal. If you suspect that you might have some type of autonomic disorder, it's important to find a healthcare provider who doesn't dismiss your symptoms as "all in your head," and who is willing to take the prolonged trial-and-error to diagnose and treat your condition. There is currently no "cure," however depending on the type of autonomic disorder, there are ways to treat the symptoms. A Word From VerywellThe autonomic nervous system plays an important role in the human body, controlling many of the body's automatic processes. This system also helps prepare the body to cope with stress and threats, as well as returning the body to a resting state afterward. Learning more about this part of the nervous system can give you a better understanding of the processes that underlie many human behaviors and responses. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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 By Kendra Cherry
Thanks for your feedback! What is the difference in function of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous systems in general?The sympathetic system controls “fight-or-flight” responses. In other words, this system prepares the body for strenuous physical activity. The events that we would expect to occur within the body to allow this to happen do, in fact, occur. The parasympathetic system regulates “rest and digest” functions.
What are the functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system?The sympathetic division initiates the fight-or-flight response and the parasympathetic initiates the rest-and-digest or feed-and-breed responses. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are important for modulating many vital functions, including respiration and cardiac contractility.
What is the difference in function of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system quizlet?The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) controls homeostasis and the body at rest and is responsible for the body's "rest and digest" function. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) controls the body's responses to a perceived threat and is responsible for the "fight or flight" response.
What is the difference in function of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the cardiovascular and digestive systems?Sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions have complementary roles: the sympathetic division functions in actions requiring quick responses (fight or flight) and the parasympathetic division regulates actions that do not require rapid responsiveness (rest and digest).
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