autonomic nervous system
noun
: a part of the vertebrate nervous system that innervates smooth and cardiac muscle and glandular tissues and governs involuntary actions (such as secretion and peristalsis) and that consists of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The rise in blood pressure is in large part mediated by the autonomic nervous system, the part of the nervous system responsible for the unconscious control of bodily functions. 
Russell Foster, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022 Breathing slowly, deeply, and intentionally triggers the parasympathetic system, or the part of the autonomic nervous system that tells you to relax, SELF has previously reported. Emilia Benton, SELF, 4 Aug. 2022 This is yet another autonomic nervous system response to alcohol withdrawal. Carly Vandergriendt, SELF, 17 May 2022 Senses are heightened, adrenaline is released and the emotional and rational parts of the brain cede control to the autonomic nervous system, responsible for regulating primal bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion and respiration. New York Times, 5 July 2022 Meditation can help regulate the autonomic nervous system, the part of our nervous system that's responsible for regulating involuntary physiological functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and digestion. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 13 June 2022 In dysautonomia, patients experienced direct damage to the autonomic nervous system that persists after infection. Erin Prater, Fortune, 31 May 2022 The finding makes sense because the enzyme plays an important role in regulating the autonomic nervous system, which controls breathing, heart rate and other basic bodily functions. Dan Hurley, Washington Post, 23 May 2022 One leading area of research is exploring possible dysfunction in the body’s autonomic nervous system, which controls unconscious functions such as breathing, heart rate and digestion. Ariana Eunjung Cha, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Apr. 2022 See More
Russell Foster, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022 Breathing slowly, deeply, and intentionally triggers the parasympathetic system, or the part of the autonomic nervous system that tells you to relax, SELF has previously reported. Emilia Benton, SELF, 4 Aug. 2022 This is yet another autonomic nervous system response to alcohol withdrawal. Carly Vandergriendt, SELF, 17 May 2022 Senses are heightened, adrenaline is released and the emotional and rational parts of the brain cede control to the autonomic nervous system, responsible for regulating primal bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion and respiration. New York Times, 5 July 2022 Meditation can help regulate the autonomic nervous system, the part of our nervous system that's responsible for regulating involuntary physiological functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and digestion. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 13 June 2022 In dysautonomia, patients experienced direct damage to the autonomic nervous system that persists after infection. Erin Prater, Fortune, 31 May 2022 The finding makes sense because the enzyme plays an important role in regulating the autonomic nervous system, which controls breathing, heart rate and other basic bodily functions. Dan Hurley, Washington Post, 23 May 2022 One leading area of research is exploring possible dysfunction in the body’s autonomic nervous system, which controls unconscious functions such as breathing, heart rate and digestion. Ariana Eunjung Cha, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1898, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
autonomic nervous system
noun
: a part of the vertebrate nervous system that innervates smooth and cardiac muscle and glandular tissues and governs involuntary actions (as secretion, vasoconstriction, or peristalsis) and that consists of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system
called also vegetative nervous system
compare central nervous system, peripheral nervous system