autonomic nervous system

noun

: 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

Functions like breathing, blinking, your heart pumping or your pupils constricting in the sun all happen without your needing to consciously control them, thanks to the autonomic nervous system. —Guy German, Binghamton University, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2023

This will examine ways to treat symptoms associated with problems in the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for functions like breathing, digestion, and heart rate. —Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 22 Aug. 2023

Therefore, research suggests that singing, even loudly, may activate our autonomic nervous system by massaging the muscles at the back of our throat and ears. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023

The findings, published in the journal Nature Cardiovascular Research, are in line with earlier reports from physicians that Covid may trigger POTS, a disorder of the autonomic nervous system often characterized by a rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, fainting and lightheadedness. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 12 Dec. 2022

The autonomic nervous system is comprised of all the things that the nervous system does without our awareness. —Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 13 Dec. 2022

Experts can’t fully explain why this happens, but know that during the menopause transition there’s a lot of changes that are happening in the autonomic nervous system (the part of your that controls, for example, your fight or flight response), says Dr. Gunter. —Adele Jackson-Gibson, Good Housekeeping, 31 Aug. 2021

Fabry disease is a neurological condition that causes lipids to build up in the autonomic nervous system that controls involuntary processes (breathing, sweating, heartbeat), as well as in the kidneys, cardiovascular system, and eyes, according to the National Institutes of Health. —Isabella Cueto, STAT, 10 July 2023

Allen Kent Bingham, who died in 1991 at 67 of dysautonomia, a rare disease that impairs the autonomic nervous system, was a World War II veteran who worked as a truck driver delivering diesel to farmers. —Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, 7 May 2023

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

autonomic nervous system

noun

: the part of the vertebrate nervous system that controls involuntary actions (as heart rate and breathing) and that is made up of the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system

Medical Definition

autonomic nervous system

noun

: 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