The autonomic nervous system also termed the vegetative nervous system regulates the internal activity of the body. The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary action, processes that happen automatically in the body that do not require conscious thought. It consists of the nerves near the center of the body that control the automatic processes like breathing and the contraction of the cardiac muscle to make the heart pump. It shares some nerves with the somatic nervous system but also has its own dedicated nerves and nerve junctions that run mainly along the outside of the spinal column along the spinal cord. This system is responsible for organizing and coordinating the essential life processes. It ensures daily maintenance, repair, and the smooth running of the entire body. It controls the level of nutrients in the body like salts, minerals, and blood sugar. The autonomic system works with the endocrine system, the body’s hormonal system, by using hormones or body chemicals circulating the blood to control activity of body parts (Farley et al., 2014) (Roca & Serrano, 1996) (Olesky, 2001) (Parker, 1997) (Walker & Wood, 2003).
The autonomic nervous system can be further separated into the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system originates in the spinal medulla and stimulates the functioning of the body's organs to increase metabolic activity and blood flow to the brain. It tells the body to work harder and faster during periods of high activity or stress. The sympathetic nervous system activates all organs but the intestines. It kicks in gear in situations of high alertness enabling humans to act with efficiency and speed. The parasympathetic nervous system acts in much the opposite way. It slows down or inhibits activity to maintain or return the body systems into a state of equilibrium under normal conditions. The parasympathetic system intervenes in the digestive process as well resulting in a sleepy feeling while food is digesting (Farley et al., 2014) (Roca & Serrano, 1996) (Olesky, 2001) (Parker, 1997) (Walker & Wood, 2003).
The autonomic nervous system can be further separated into the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system originates in the spinal medulla and stimulates the functioning of the body's organs to increase metabolic activity and blood flow to the brain. It tells the body to work harder and faster during periods of high activity or stress. The sympathetic nervous system activates all organs but the intestines. It kicks in gear in situations of high alertness enabling humans to act with efficiency and speed. The parasympathetic nervous system acts in much the opposite way. It slows down or inhibits activity to maintain or return the body systems into a state of equilibrium under normal conditions. The parasympathetic system intervenes in the digestive process as well resulting in a sleepy feeling while food is digesting (Farley et al., 2014) (Roca & Serrano, 1996) (Olesky, 2001) (Parker, 1997) (Walker & Wood, 2003).