Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous System
Sweat glands of skin
Parasympathetic: no effect Sympathetic: stimulates to produce perspiration
Arrector pili muscles
Parasympathetic: no effect Sympathetic: stimulates; produces goosebumps
Urinary bladder/urethra
Parasympathetic: relaxes sphincters Sympathetic: constricts sphincters
Glands - salivary, lacrimal
Parasympathetic: stimulates Sympathetic: inhibits
Eye (iris)
Parasympathetic: stimulates constrictor muscles; constricts pupils Sympathetic: stimulates dilator muscles; dilates pupils
Eye (ciliary muscle)
Parasympathetic: stimulates to increase bulging of lens for close vision Sympathetic: inhibits to decrease bulging of lens; prepares for distant vision
Digestive system
Parasympathetic: increases smooth muscle mobility and amount of secretion by digestive system glands; relaxes sphincters Sympathetic: decreases activity of digestive system and constricts sphincters
Liver
Parasympathetic: no effect Sympathetic: causes glucose to be released to blood
Blood vessels
Parasympathetic: no effect Sympathetic: constricts blood vessels in viscera and skin and dilates those in skeletal muscle and heart; increases blood pressure
Kidneys
Parasympathetic: no effect Sympathetic: decreases urine output
Penis
Parasympathetic: causes erection due to vasodilation Sympathetic: causes ejaculation
Heart
Parasympathetic: decreases heart rate Sympathetic: increases heart rate
Cellular metabolism
Parasympathetic: no effect Sympathetic: increases metabolic rate; increases blood sugar levels; stimulates fat breakdown
Adrenal medulla
Parasympathetic: no effect Sympathetic: stimulates medulla cells to secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine
Lungs
Parasympathetic: constricts bronchioles Sympathetic: dilates bronchioles
