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 hypothalamus works to regulate the autonomic nervous system, a system that coordinates involuntary responses such as heart rate, blood pressure and respiration. Seena Mathew, Discover Magazine, 14 Dec. 2023 While the science behind weighted blankets isn’t exactly clear, experts theorize that deep pressure (like that from a hug, swaddle, or weighted blanket) can help reduce the physiological arousal associated with anxiety by acting on the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 5 Oct. 2021 Nerve fibers send a message about lower salt levels to your brain, and the autonomic nervous system responds by constricting the blood vessels. Guy German, Binghamton University, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2023 And the authors said the biological pathway that their research outlines could unite many of the major theories of what causes long Covid: lingering remnants of the virus, inflammation, increased blood clotting and dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Pam Belluck, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2023 The other will target problems with the autonomic nervous system — which controls unconscious functions like breathing and heartbeat — including the disorder called POTS. Lauran Neergaard, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Aug. 2023 Other treatments would address excessive sleepiness and sleep disturbances, and a fourth area involves therapies for problems involving the autonomic nervous system, which includes heart rate, breathing, and the digestive system. Mark Johnson, BostonGlobe.com, 31 July 2023 Functions like breathing, blinking, your heart pumping or your pupils constricting in the sun all happen without your needing to consciously control them, thanks to the autonomic nervous system. Guy German, Binghamton University, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2023 This will examine ways to treat symptoms associated with problems in the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for functions like breathing, digestion, and heart rate. Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 22 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'autonomic nervous system.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of autonomic nervous system was in 1898

Dictionary Entries Near autonomic nervous system

Cite this Entry

“Autonomic nervous system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autonomic%20nervous%20system. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

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