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Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)

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Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine

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Definition

The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is one of two main branches or subsystems of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). It originates in the brain stem and sacral spinal cord and commonly – but not always – yields peripheral adjustments that are complementary to those produced by its counterpart, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS).

Description

The parasympathetic nervous system is one of two main branches or subsystems of the autonomic nervous system, the physical system responsible for nonconsciously maintaining bodily homeostasis and coordinating bodily responses. Working with the second main branch, the sympathetic nervous system, the parasympathetic nervous system regulates a wide range of functions such as blood circulation, body temperature, respiration, and digestion. Parasympathetic activation commonly leads to adjustments on organs and glands that are complementary to those produced by sympathetic activation and suitable for low activity and bodily restoration...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Geneva, 40, Bd. du Pont-d’Arve, Geneva, CH-1205, Switzerland

    Dr. Michael Richter

  2. College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #311280, Denton, TX, 76203-5017, USA

    Dr. Rex A. Wright

Authors
  1. Dr. Michael Richter
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  2. Dr. Rex A. Wright
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Richter .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Behavioral Medicine Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA

    Marc D. Gellman

  2. Cardiovascular Safety, Quintiles, Durham, NC, USA

    J. Rick Turner

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Richter, M., Wright, R.A. (2013). Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS). In: Gellman, M.D., Turner, J.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_822

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_822

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1004-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1005-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

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