Parasympathetic nervous system

Parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system - What is that actually?

The parasympathetic nervous system is the antagonist of the sympathetic nervous system and is - just like the sympathetic nervous system - a part of the vegetative (or autonomous) nervous system. It is called autonomous because we cannot consciously control this part of the nervous system, which includes functions such as breathing, digesting or sweating. 

The parasympathetic nervous system

The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for giving the body rest, protection, peace and relaxation. It ensures that the body's own reserves are built up, the body regenerates itself and thus strengthens the body's performance again and again. This is called the trophotropic tasks of the parasympathetic nervous system. When the parasympathetic nervous system is used, blood pressure is lowered, digestive activity increases and the heart rate decreases.

The sympathetic nervous system

The sympathetic nervous system takes over the ergotropic tasks. It ensures that the body is always ready to perform and is immediately ready to act, for example in stressful and dangerous situations. The sympathetic nervous system drives the body to peak performance.

Where in the body are the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems?

he parasympathetic nervous system is - just like the sympathetic nervous system - not a single location in the body, but distributed over a larger area. It is a craniosacral system. Its original cells are located in the head area (lat. Cranium = skull) and in the area of the sacrum (lat. Os sacrum = sacrum), which is the lowest part of the spine.

If the interplay between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems is disturbed, health problems can arise and thus reduce the quality of life.