The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for maintaining balance in the body. It works in opposition to the sympathic nervous system, which is responsible for the fight or flight response.
The parasympathetic nervous system is activated when you are feeling relaxed.
The parasympathetic nervous system is activated when you are feeling scared or threatened.
noun
originates in the brain stem and lower part of the spinal cord; opposes physiological effects of the sympathetic nervous system: stimulates digestive secretions; slows the heart; constricts the pupils; dilates blood vessels
Synonyms:
ADJ
of or relating to the parasympathetic nervous system
1
It contains the sensory and parasympathetic fibers of the facial nerve.
2
Parasympathetic ganglia of the head and neck.
3
Parasympathetic root of ciliary ganglion.
4
Parasympathetic input uses the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
5
It has both sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation.
6
The muscle has parasympathetic and sympathetic innervation.
7
The parasympathetic nervous system is entirely cholinergic.
8
I believe this is sometimes referred to as parasympathetic overreaction.
9
Only parasympathetic fibers form synapses in the ganglion.
10
It is the most rostral of the parasympathetic nuclei in the brain stem.