Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Parasympathetic Division

�vegetative functions�

increased digestion

increased saliva

decreased heart rate

decreased breathing

increased blood flow to gut

restful state

Sympathetic Division

�fight or flight response�

decreased digestion

decreased saliva

increased heart rate

increased breathing

shunting of blood from gut

to other tissues--skeletal muscle,

heart, & brain

heightened arousal & vigilance

sweating

The ANS consists of two main divisions--the parasympathetic and sympathethic

divisions. These divisions have opposite effects on many physiological processes.

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