AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM ANATOMY AND ITS RESPONSE TO STRESS
Keywords:
Autonomic nervous system, sympathetic nervous system, parasympathetic nervous system, stress response, adrenaline, noradrenaline, fight or flight, rest and digest, anatomy, chronic stress.Abstract
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls involuntary body functions such as
heart rate, digestion, and respiration. It consists of two parts: the sympathetic nervous
system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The SNS triggers the “fight
or flight” response during stress by increasing heart rate, dilating pupils, and redirecting
blood to muscles. The PNS promotes rest and recovery. The ANS originates from the
brainstem and spinal cord. Under stress, the SNS releases adrenaline and noradrenaline
to prepare the body for action. Chronic stress disrupts the balance between SNS and
PNS, leading to health problems like hypertension and anxiety. Understanding ANS
anatomy and stress response is important for managing stress-related disorders.
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