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Sympathetic nervous system

Definition

noun

A division of the (vertebrate) autonomic nervous system that is chiefly involved in producing an immediate and effective response (e.g. fight-or-flight response) during stress or emergency situations.


Supplement

The autonomic nervous system is usually categorized into two major divisions:

The sympathetic system consists of the sympathetic chain of ganglia on each side of the spinal cord. The sympathetic neurons whose cell bodies are in the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord are called presynaptic (or preganglionic) neurons. These neurons communicate with the neurons of the peripheral nervous system, called postsynaptic (or postganglionic) neurons by way of chemical synapses.

Most synaptic neurons use noradrenaline as a post-ganglionic neurotransmitter.


Compare: parasympathetic nervous system

See also: autonomic nervous system


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Flu symptoms...sympathetic or parasympathetic?

... increased body temperature) initiated by the sympathetic nervous system OR the parasympathetic nervous system? I would guess that ...

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by SysBio
Tue Jul 07, 2009 11:26 pm
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: Flu symptoms...sympathetic or parasympathetic?
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Views: 165

Re: Vagus Nerve

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by sanjidcapa
Tue May 05, 2009 9:15 am
 
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Regulation of a heartbeat

... to SA node via dual innervation: First from sympathetic nervous system (Spinal nerve T1-4) Second from parasympathetic nervous system(Cranial ...

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by MohammedAmer
Wed Apr 22, 2009 4:45 pm
 
Forum: Physiology
Topic: Regulation of a heartbeat
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Views: 1331

Regulation of a heartbeat

... plays a role in the regulation, along with its sympathetic and para sympathetic nervous system, but I don't quite understand how it fits in with regulating ...

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by Fatty
Wed Apr 22, 2009 10:09 am
 
Forum: Physiology
Topic: Regulation of a heartbeat
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peripheral nervous system

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by kk
Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:40 am
 
Forum: Physiology
Topic: peripheral nervous system
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