autonomic nervous system

noun

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

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

See autonomic nervous system defined for kids

Recent Examples of autonomic nervous system from the Web

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
The study outlines other health consequences posed by exposure to air pollution, including inflammation and complications in the autonomic nervous system, which controls unconscious bodily functions like heartbeats and breathing.

— hannah holzer, sacbee, "Air pollution increases risk for type 2 diabetes, study finds," 12 July 2018
Sleep is a cornerstone of your health, and not getting enough (that’s at least seven hours a night for people 18 and over) can greatly affect your autonomic nervous system (ANS).

— alison goldman, SELF, "7 Possible Reasons Your Hands Are Shaking," 21 May 2018
Jan Laman Craig, wife of the late H. Rex Craig, who was head of Glendale Community College, passed away March 10 in Altadena of a degenerative disorder of the autonomic nervous system.

— mark kellam, latimes.com, "Jan Craig, wife of former head of Glendale Community College, dies," 13 Apr. 2018
He was knighted in 1975 for his work in researching the failures of the autonomic nervous system.

— chris chavez, SI.com, "By Breaking the Four-Minute Mile, Roger Bannister Showed Limits Only Exist in Our Minds," 4 Mar. 2018
Hopkins, also an artist, suffers from dysautonomia, which involves the autonomic nervous system, causing fainting, cardiovascular issues and breathing problems.

— jennifer conn, akron reporter, cleveland.com, "Artist, disabled advocate creates Akron's 1st All Abilities Art Expo at Unitarian Universalist Church," 26 Feb. 2018
Your heart is connected with your pancreas via the autonomic nervous system.

— sy mukherjee, Fortune, "Brainstorm Health: New Zealand's HIV Prevention Plan, Apple Watch Diabetes Study, FDA Vs Kratom," 7 Feb. 2018
NYU Langone describes autonomic disorders as: The autonomic nervous system regulates the function of the body’s internal organs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and body temperature.

— Essence.com, "Solange Reveals She Has An Autonomic Disorder, Cancels AFROPUNK Joburg 2017 Performance," 27 Dec. 2017

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.

First Known Use of autonomic nervous system

1898

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

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