AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does autonomic nervous system mean? 

• AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (noun)
  The noun AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM has 1 sense:

1. the part of the nervous system of vertebrates that controls involuntary actions of the smooth muscles and heart and glands

  Familiarity information: AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The part of the nervous system of vertebrates that controls involuntary actions of the smooth muscles and heart and glands

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

ANS; autonomic nervous system

Hypernyms ("autonomic nervous system" is a kind of...):

neural structure (a structure that is part of the nervous system)

Meronyms (parts of "autonomic nervous system"):

autonomic ganglion (any of the ganglia of the autonomic system whose unmyelinated fibers innervate the internal organs)

sympathetic nervous system (originates in the thoracic regions of the spinal cord; opposes physiological effects of the parasympathetic: reduces digestive secretions; speeds the heart; contracts blood vessels)

parasympathetic; parasympathetic nervous system (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)

Holonyms ("autonomic nervous system" is a part of...):

nervous system; systema nervosum (the sensory and control apparatus consisting of a network of nerve cells)

 Context examples 

An inherited or acquired peripheral neuropathy affecting the autonomic nervous system.

(Autonomic Neuropathy, NCI Thesaurus)

Some autonomic nervous system disorders get better when an underlying disease is treated.

(Autonomic Nervous System Disorders, NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

A disorder characterized by CONFUSION; inattentiveness; disorientation; ILLUSIONS; HALLUCINATIONS; agitation; and in some instances autonomic nervous system overactivity.

(Delirium, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

It is characterized by fever, muscular cramps and rigidity, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and changes in the mental status that may lead to coma.

(Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

The craniosacral division of the autonomic nervous system.

(Parasympathetic nervous system, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

It is an autonomic nervous system disorder and the symptoms are relieved once the person sits back down.

(Orthostatic Intolerance, NCI Thesaurus)

Benign and malignant neoplasms which arise from or directly involve the central or peripheral elements of the autonomic nervous system.

(Autonomic Nervous System Neoplasm, NCI Thesaurus)

Also called autonomic nervous system and involuntary nervous system.

(ANS, NCI Dictionary)

Clusters of neurons and their processes in the autonomic nervous system.

(Autonomic Ganglion, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

One part of the autonomic nervous system helps the body rest, relax, and digest food and another part helps a person fight or take flight in an emergency.

(Autonomic nervous system, NCI Dictionary)