English > sympathetic nervous system: 1 sense > noun 1, body| Meaning | originates in the thoracic regions of the spinal cord; opposes physiological effects of the parasympathetic: reduces digestive secretions; speeds the heart; contracts blood vessels. |
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| Part of | autonomic nervous system, ANS | The part of the nervous system of vertebrates that controls involuntary actions of the smooth muscles and heart and glands |
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| Parts | alpha receptor, alpha-adrenergic receptor, alpha-adrenoceptor | receptors postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympathetic nervous system in order to explain the specificity of certain agents that affect only some sympathetic activities (such as vasoconstriction and relaxation of intestinal muscles and contraction of smooth muscles) |
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| beta receptor, beta-adrenergic receptor, beta-adrenoceptor | receptors postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympathetic nervous system in order to explain the specificity of certain agents that affect only some sympathetic activities (such as vasodilation and increased heart beat) |
| solar plexus, coeliac plexus, plexus celiacus, abdominal nerve plexus | A large plexus of sympathetic nerves in the abdomen behind the stomach |
| splanchnic nerve | Any of several nerves of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system that innervate viscera and blood vessels |
| Broader | nervous system, systema nervosum | The sensory and control apparatus consisting of a network of nerve cells |
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| Spanish | sistema nervioso simpático |
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| Catalan | sistema nerviós simpàtic |
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| Adjectives | sympathetic | of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system |
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