parasympathetic nervous system

noun

: the part of the autonomic nervous system that contains chiefly cholinergic fibers, that tends to induce secretion, to increase the tone and contractility of smooth muscle, and to slow heart rate, and that consists of a cranial and a sacral part compare sympathetic nervous system

Examples of parasympathetic nervous system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As a result, this type of exercise can help regulate the parasympathetic nervous system to induce a state of relaxation and calm. Bryant Richardson, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 When the body can fully relax, the parasympathetic nervous system turns on. Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2024 Every 10 Seconds Face yoga can also tap into the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for promoting relaxation and reducing stress, Reszko adds. Erica Sweeney, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024 The nerves that control the salivary glands are part of the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS). Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for parasympathetic nervous system 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parasympathetic nervous system.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parasympathetic nervous system was circa 1934

Dictionary Entries Near parasympathetic nervous system

Cite this Entry

“Parasympathetic nervous system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parasympathetic%20nervous%20system. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

parasympathetic nervous system

noun
: the part of the autonomic nervous system that is concerned with controlling the body during normal routine situations and that tends to cause secretion of the digestive and salivary glands and slow the heart rate and that acts on bodily organs by releasing acetylcholine at the ends of nerve fibers supplying them compare sympathetic nervous system

Medical Definition

parasympathetic nervous system

noun
: the part of the autonomic nervous system that contains chiefly cholinergic fibers, that tends to induce secretion, to increase the tone and contractility of smooth muscle, and to slow the heart rate, and that consists of (1) a cranial part made up of preganglionic fibers leaving and passing the midbrain by the oculomotor nerves and the hindbrain by the facial, glossopharyngeal, vagus, and accessory nerves and passing to the ciliary, sphenopalatine, submandibular, and otic ganglia of the head or to ganglionated plexuses of the thorax and abdomen and postganglionic fibers passing from these ganglia to end organs of the head and upper trunk and (2) a sacral part made up of preganglionic fibers emerging and passing in the sacral nerves and passing to ganglionated plexuses of the lower trunk and postganglionic fibers passing from these plexuses chiefly to the viscera of the lower abdomen and the external genital organs

called also parasympathetic system

compare sympathetic nervous system

More from Merriam-Webster on parasympathetic nervous system

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!