Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (also known as the visceral nervous system[1]) can be referred to as the vegetative nervous system[2] as its functions are not under voluntary control. It is part of the peripheral nervous system which consists of efferent neurones in which impulses from the central nervous system travel to their targets (usually muscles and glands).[3]
The autonomic nervous system can be divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems which can be recognised according to the chemical neurotransmitters they use.[4] The targets of autonomic neurones are smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, many exocrine glands, a few endocrine glands, lymphoid tissues and some adipose tissue.[5] The autonomic system is important in the body as it maintains homeostasis.[6]
- ↑ Silverthorn, D.U. (2010) Human Physiology an Integrated Approach (5th ed.) San Francisco: Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings. Page 249
- ↑ Silverthorn, D.U. (2010) Human Physiology an Integrated Approach (5th ed.) San Francisco: Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings. Page 386
- ↑ Silverthorn, D.U. (2010) Human Physiology an Integrated Approach (5th ed.) San Francisco: Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings. Page 249
- ↑ Silverthorn, D.U. (2010) Human Physiology an Integrated Approach (5th ed.) San Francisco: Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings. Page 249 and 386
- ↑ Silverthorn, D.U. (2010) Human Physiology an Integrated Approach (5th ed.) San Francisco: Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings. Page 249 and 386
- ↑ Silverthorn, D.U. (2010) Human Physiology an Integrated Approach (5th ed.) San Francisco: Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings. Page 387