The autonomic nervous system: part two.

摘要

The autonomic nervous system is a part of the nervous system that controls involuntary or "automatic" functions of the body. These include blood pressure, heart and breathing rates, body temperature, digestion, urination, sweat production, and sexual response. It also controls the function of the pupils of the eyes. There are 2 main divisions of the autonomic nervous system, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. They have opposite effects on the organs and glands that they control. In this way, the autonomic nervous system maintains the internal balance or homeostasis of the body. Most importantly, it maintains this homeostasis during the variety of activities and environments that people are involved with and exposed to throughout their daily lives.