Both our body and the mind itself are regulated by the brain and all the connections that it contains. The nervous system is in charge of conducting signals between neurons and thus coordinating all the actions of the body. The human nervous system can be divided into two large parts: the central nervous system (or CNS), made up of the brain and the most important organs. next to it, and the peripheral nervous system (or PNS), formed by the nerves and neurons that are outside the nervous system central.
In this Psychology-Online article, we will focus on a very specific part of the SNP: the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In addition, we will explain the main functions and differences between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems: two great ramifications of the ANS very important in our own survival as human beings.
Index
- The autonomic nervous system: definition
- Difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
- Diseases of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
- Summary of the anatomy and functions of the Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system: definition.
As we have discussed previously, the ANS (also known as the vegetative nervous system) is located on the periphery of the nervous system, despite being activated by areas such as the hypothalamus, most of its activity is focused on the spinal cord, peripheral nerves and the stem cerebral. The nerves that leave the brain and go directly to all the organs of our body (efferent fibers) are part of the autonomic nervous system.
This anatomical organization is due to the fact that it receives and sends information from the viscera and many of the organs of our body to be able to regulate and correctly stimulate their functions vegetative.
Functions of the Autonomous Nervous System
This system has been shown to control the muscles that surround our organs, regulate the excretory system (sweat, urine, and other secretions), and participate in the following processes:
- Control of reflexes and involuntary actions
- Blood pressure
- Breathing
- Digestion
- Erection and ejaculation
- Involuntary muscle contraction and relaxation
- ...
So that we understand it better, and in summary, everything that our body does and what we do not usually pay attention to, is controlled by the autonomic nervous system.
Parts of the Autonomic Nervous System
This organization of nerves and neurons is divided into three main parts:
- Sympathetic Nervous System: in charge of regulating the body's activation responses
- Parasympathetic Nervous System: responsible for returning to a state of balance and conservation after the activation of the sympathetic system.
- Enteric Nervous System: also known as the "second brain" this system is the least known of the three, it is responsible for generating emotional responses from the secretion of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and endogenous opioids. Thanks to this system, we understand better the relationship between neurotransmitters and emotions.
Next, we will develop in depth the concepts of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system: their main differences and functions.
Difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
Now that we know that we have a built-in system in charge solely of controlling the involuntary functions of our body, it is normal to want to know more, What does each system take care of? Although it is true that each of those named above has a specific function, it is important to know the close relationship that exists between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Both are different sides of the same coin, they are responsible for keeping our body in balance and homeostasis before the different external stimuli. However, the main difference resides in its functions: while one is in charge of activating our body, the other is responsible for relaxing it and returning to the natural state of the organism.
Sympathetic Nervous System Function
The nerves, fibers and neurons of this system are responsible for putting our body in a physiological state of alert. When the brain sends an alert signal or cortical activation due to a stress situation, the SNS sends a message to the muscles and glands of our body so that they start our body in the following way way:
- The adrenal gland releases adrenaline throughout our bloodstream
- Dilate the pupils
- Speeds up the heart rate
- Opens the airways to increase oxygen in the blood
- Inhibits the digestive system to concentrate efforts on attack and flight tasks
- Maintains muscle tone
- Stimulates orgasm
Parasympathetic Nervous System: functions
In contrast to the SNS, we find the SNP. This system is responsible for returning all previously activated organs to our natural state. To do this, it sends signals to the brain so that it releases acetylcholine and reaches the neurons responsible for relaxing the muscles and organs. The parasympathetic nervous system has the following main functions:
- Constriction of the pupil
- Reduced volume of the lungs
- Decreased heart rate
- Stimulation of the digestive process
- Muscle relaxation
- Stimulation of sexual arousal (in this case, it is not the opposite response to the SNS, but rather complements it)
Diseases of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
As we have seen, this set of neurons and nerves is extremely important for our survival. Presenting a disease in either system can be a serious problem and we must detect it as soon as possible.
An imbalance in the SNS or SNP will be related to our ability to generate adequate bodily responses to our environment, the main examples of diseases of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system are the following:
- Fibromyalgia: When the parasympathetic nervous system does not work properly, this disease characterized by enormous pain with no apparent physical explanation can appear.
- Multiple sclerosis: This neurodegenerative disease can appear due to the interaction of different factors, one of them is a failure in the autonomic nervous system.
- Parkinson's: Although the appearance is not directly related to a failure in the ANS, the fact of presenting this disease can lead to a serious dysfunction in said system.
- Hypotension idiopathic orthostatic - also known as pure autonomic failure
- Diabetes: This endocrine imbalance is closely related to a malfunction of the parasympathetic nervous system. As we have seen previously, the parasympathetic nervous system is in charge of regulating some of the functions of the digestive system as well.
- Other diseases such as botulism, leprosy, and chagas disease they can cause failure of the nervous system.
Summary of the anatomy and functions of the Autonomous Nervous System.
By presenting so many names and technicalities, we have found it necessary to create a simple summary in order to correctly understand both the ANS and the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system:
1. Anatomy
The ANS is part of our peripheral nervous system, it is in charge of generating responses in our brain and controlling most of our organic functions. We therefore understand that the ANS is distributed throughout the body and is anatomically different from the Central Nervous System due to its position on our body map.
The nerves, the brain stem, the spinal cord and some parts of the hypothalamus are the areas most involved in the autonomic nervous system. In turn, we divide the ANS into: sympathetic, parasympathetic and enteric nervous systems (SNS, SNP and SNE)
2. Features
The main function of the ANS is to control our unconscious and vegetative functions. For example, we are not aware of the digestive process, however, there is a part of our system responsible for regulating it. The same goes for involuntary muscle tension, breathing, and many more adaptive responses.
3. Differences between SNS and SNP
The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system are responsible for keeping our body in constant balance, while the SNS is responsible for activating the alert functions when a stimulus causes us stress, agitation or we perceive danger, the PNS is the one that directs our body to a state of tranquility and conservation.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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