parasympathetic

[ par-uh-sim-puh-thet-ik ]

adjective

, Anatomy, Physiology,

1. pertaining to that part of the autonomic nervous system consisting of nerves and ganglia that arise from the cranial and sacral regions and function in opposition to the sympathetic system, as in inhibiting heartbeat or contracting the pupil of the eye.

parasympathetic

/ ˌpærəˌsɪmpəˈθɛtɪk /

adjective

1. See sympathetic
   anatomy physiol of or relating to the division of the autonomic nervous system that acts in opposition to the sympathetic system by slowing the heartbeat, constricting the bronchi of the lungs, stimulating the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, etc Compare sympathetic

Word History and Origins

Origin of parasympathetic¹

First recorded in 1900–05; para- ¹ + sympathetic

Example Sentences

The extra weight and pressure on the body helps trigger your parasympathetic nervous system, which lowers your heart rate and sort of switches your fight-or-flight response off.

From Popular-Science

Normally, the parasympathetic nervous system, which acts like a break on the fight-or-flight response, should kick into gear, returning the body to homeostasis.

From Popular-Science

Dispensing compassion can also activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which produces a calming effect.

From Freakonomics

It activates your parasympathetic nervous system and tells your body to relax and recuperate.

From The Daily Beast