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SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Originates in the thoracic regions of the spinal cord; opposes physiological effects of the parasympathetic: reduces digestive secretions; speeds the heart; contracts blood vessels
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("sympathetic nervous system" is a kind of...):
nervous system; systema nervosum (the sensory and control apparatus consisting of a network of nerve cells)
Meronyms (parts of "sympathetic nervous system"):
splanchnic nerve (any of several nerves of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system that innervate viscera and blood vessels)
abdominal nerve plexus; coeliac plexus; plexus celiacus; solar plexus (a large plexus of sympathetic nerves in the abdomen behind the stomach)
alpha-adrenergic receptor; alpha-adrenoceptor; alpha receptor (receptors postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympathetic nervous system in order to explain the specificity of certain agents that affect only some sympathetic activities (such as vasoconstriction and relaxation of intestinal muscles and contraction of smooth muscles))
beta-adrenergic receptor; beta-adrenoceptor; beta receptor (receptors postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympathetic nervous system in order to explain the specificity of certain agents that affect only some sympathetic activities (such as vasodilation and increased heart beat))
Holonyms ("sympathetic nervous system" is a part of...):
ANS; autonomic nervous system (the part of the nervous system of vertebrates that controls involuntary actions of the smooth muscles and heart and glands)
Context examples:
It involves the adrenal medulla and the sympathetic nervous system.
(Neuroblastoma of the Adrenal Gland and Sympathetic Nervous System, NCI Thesaurus)
The parasympathetic nervous system generally acts to conserve resources and restore homeostasis, often with effects reciprocal to the sympathetic nervous system.
(Parasympathetic nervous system, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)
The ciliary muscle is innervated by both the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems and acts to control the flow of aqueous humour into Schlemm's canal and changes the shape of the eye lens.
(Ciliary Muscle, NCI Thesaurus)
Characteristically, they are located in the adrenal medulla and paraganglia of the sympathetic nervous system.
(Chromaffin cell, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)
In addition, this agent blocks angiotensin II -induced stimulation of aldosterone synthesis and secretion by the adrenal cortex, cardiac contraction, renal resorption of sodium, activity of the sympathetic nervous system, and smooth muscle cell growth.
(Eprosartan, NCI Thesaurus)
