Sympathetic

Sympathetic nervous system is a part of the autonomic nervous system that primarily functions to prepare the body for physical activity. It is often referred to as the "fight or flight" system, as it is responsible for the body's automatic response to stressful or dangerous situations.

Overview

The sympathetic nervous system is one of the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system, the other being the parasympathetic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for regulating the body's unconscious actions. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for stimulating the body's "fight-or-flight" response, while the parasympathetic nervous system is often referred to as the "rest and digest" or "feed and breed" system.

Function

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for up-regulating various bodily functions and preparing the body for action. This includes increasing heart rate, increasing blood pressure, dilating the pupils, and slowing digestion. It also stimulates the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline, hormones that increase heart rate and blood pressure, among other effects.

Anatomy

The sympathetic nervous system originates in the spinal cord, specifically in the thoracic and lumbar regions. It consists of two types of neurons: preganglionic and postganglionic. The preganglionic neurons originate in the spinal cord and synapse with the postganglionic neurons in the sympathetic ganglia, a chain of clusters of nerve cells located near the spinal cord.

Clinical significance

Dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system can lead to a variety of medical conditions. For example, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) can be caused by overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. On the other hand, damage to the sympathetic nervous system can lead to Horner's syndrome, which is characterized by drooping eyelids, constricted pupils, and lack of sweating on one side of the face.

See also

• Autonomic nervous system
• Parasympathetic nervous system
• Adrenaline
• Noradrenaline

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