PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does parasympathetic nervous system mean? 

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

1. 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

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

 Dictionary entry details 

• PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

parasympathetic; parasympathetic nervous system

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

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

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

ANS; autonomic nervous system (the part of the nervous system of vertebrates that controls involuntary actions of the smooth muscles and heart and glands)

 Context examples 

Any component of the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system.

(Autonomic Nervous System Part, NCI Thesaurus)

The parasympathetic nervous system generally acts to conserve resources and restore homeostasis, often with effects reciprocal to the sympathetic nervous system.

(Parasympathetic nervous system, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

A usually small autonomic ganglion of the parasympathetic nervous system.

(Parasympathetic Ganglion, NCI Thesaurus)

An acute or chronic disorder, affecting the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system.

(Dysautonomia, NCI Thesaurus)

This agent also has a vagal effect on the parasympathetic nervous system, and as such slows the ventricular heart rate as well as helps eliminate fluid from body tissues.

(Digitalin, NCI Thesaurus)