Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system refers to a system of peripheral nerves and ganglia whose neural activity is automatic and not subject to voluntary or conscious control. Glandular activity and the activity of organs such as the stomach or intestine are free from conscious act. These activities are managed by the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system innervates the smooth muscles of the body such as those found in the stomach, gallbladder, arteries, the glands and the heart. It controls without intervention of the central nervous system most of the internal structures of the body: the eyes, saliva glands, arteries, windpipe, lungs, heart and liver to name just some. The autonomic nervous system is divided into two parts, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic system. The difference in these two systems is in the manner in which they affect the organs or tissues they control. Generally the sympathetic nervous system acts as a stimulator and the parasympathetic system an inhibitor or depressor