Autonomic Nervous System

The portion of the nervous system that controls the visceral functions of the body is called the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is controlled mainly by centers located in the spinal cord, brain stem, and hypothalamus, and functions to control arterial pressure, gastrointestinal motility and secretion, urinary output, sweating, body temperature, and many other bodily activities.

Anatomically, the autonomic nervous system may be divided into two major subdivisions called the and systems.

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