Question

What does the autonomic nervous system include? What is its main function?

Answer 1

Autonomic nervous system:

1. It is the part of the nervous system that deals with non-conscious functions of our body that are not in our control.
2. It controls processes like breathing, heart rate, digestion, etc. that are involuntary.
3. The autonomous nervous system includes a group of ganglia (collection of nerve cells) near the spinal cord

Divisions of the autonomic nervous system:

1. The sympathetic nervous system which is present in the thoracic and lumbar region of the spinal cord gets activated in the condition of a 'flight or fight response triggered during stressful situations that increase blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration rate to support the body in need.
2. The parasympathetic nervous system originates in the cranial region of the brain and sacral region of the spinal cord which is antagonistic to the sympathetic nervous system as it decreases blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate.

Hence, the autonomic nervous system controls the involuntary functions of the body and includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.