autonomic nervous system

Definition of autonomic nervous system

: a part of the vertebrate nervous system that innervates smooth and cardiac muscle and glandular tissues and governs involuntary actions (such as secretion and peristalsis) and that consists of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system

Examples of autonomic nervous system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web No changes in the autonomic nervous system or skeletomotor actions are, in and of themselves, meaningful as fear. — Dean Mobbs, Scientific American, "On the Nature of Fear," 20 Sep. 2019 His team included cardiologists, rheumatologists, vascular specialists, a geneticist and an expert in dysautonomia, a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, which controls breathing and heartbeat. — The Washington Post, oregonlive, "Michigan man’s mystery ailment amazes, perplexes doctors," 22 Sep. 2019 This is one half of your autonomic nervous system, all of which works without your needing to think about it. — Anne R. Crecelius, The Conversation, "Why do people faint?," 20 June 2019 The other half of your autonomic nervous system is the sympathetic nervous system. — Anne R. Crecelius, The Conversation, "Why do people faint?," 20 June 2019 As Scanlan explains, deep pressure is thought to help reduce the physiological arousal associated with anxiety by acting on the autonomic nervous system (ANS). — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Do Weighted Blankets Even Do Anything for Anxiety?," 7 May 2019 Back in 2011, Mills' health journey began when she was diagnosed at the age of 19 with rare illness postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, which compromised her autonomic nervous system and left her with chronic fatigue and digestive issues. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "A Beginner's Guide to Plant-Based Eating With Deliciously Ella," 15 Sep. 2018 In addition to controlling your body’s involuntary processes, your autonomic nervous system also affects your flight or fight response, which can get activated in response to nerves. — Alison Goldman, SELF, "7 Possible Reasons Your Hands Are Shaking," 21 May 2018 This is the largest nerve of the autonomic nervous system - extending from the brain to the colon - and plays a key role in heart, lung and digestive function. — Carrie Dennett, chicagotribune.com, "Could walking barefoot on grass improve your health? Some science suggests it can.," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'autonomic nervous system.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near autonomic nervous system

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Statistics for autonomic nervous system

Last Updated

10 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Autonomic nervous system.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autonomic%20nervous%20system. Accessed 22 January 2020.

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More Definitions for autonomic nervous system

autonomic nervous system

noun

Medical Definition of autonomic nervous system

: a part of the vertebrate nervous system that innervates smooth and cardiac muscle and glandular tissues and governs involuntary actions (as secretion, vasoconstriction, or peristalsis) and that consists of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system

— called also vegetative nervous system

— compare central nervous system, peripheral nervous system