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

The autonomic nervous system doesn't respond appropriately in people with POTS, so actions like standing and exercising are more challenging and may be accompanied by high heart rate, dizziness, or fainting. —Heidi Cope, Health, 6 Nov. 2024

Breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure are all connected to our autonomic nervous system, which regulates the unconscious bodily functions that keep us alive. —Tom Simonite, WIRED, 13 Nov. 2017

Chewing and swallowing activate the vagus nerve, which can help calm the autonomic nervous system. —Nicole Cain, Harvard Business Review, 23 Oct. 2024

After contracting the virus in December 2022, Mir developed dysautonomia (a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system), mast cell activation syndrome (which triggers the excessive release of histamine and leads to allergy-like symptoms), and cognitive impairment. —Asmae Fahmy, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2024

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