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Sympathetic and parasympathetic effect on organs

Contents

SYMPATHETIC EFFECTS

ORGAN SYSTEM, ORGAN OR TISSUE
SYMPATHETIC ACTIVATION
ASSOCIATED SNS DISORDERS

BRAIN

Arousal

Hyperactivity

HYPOTHALAMUS

-

-

EYES

Pupil dilation

-

LACHRYMAL

-

-

SALIVARY GLANDS

-

-

THYROID

Increase

Hyperactivity

HEART INTROPY

Increase

High BP

CHRONOTROPY

Increase

Tachycardia

LUNGS - BRONCHI

Increase = constriction

Decrease = dilation

Increase = asthma, COPD

-

VENTILATION

-

-

UPPER GI

-

-

LOWER GI

-

Irritable bowel syndrome

PANCREAS

Increase insulin

Shock or coma

LIVER

Release glucose and nutrients

Hyperactivity

SPLANCHNIC SYSTEM

-

-

ADRENAL GLANDS

Increase = release catecholamines

Decrease = less volume

Increase = hyperactivity

Decrease = hypoactivity

KIDNEYS

Decrease volume

Dehydration

RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN

Increase = more volume, thirsty

Decrease = less volume

Increase = hypertension

Decrease = hypotension

BLADDER

Increase sphincter tone

Persistent full feeling

SEX FUNCTION - FEMALE

Orgasm

-

ESTROGEN

Increase

?

SEX FUNCTION - MALE

Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation, impotence

TESTOSTERONE

Increase

Rage

PERIPHERAL VASCULATURE

Increase = vasodilation

Decrease = vasoconstriction

Increase = hypertension

Decrease = hypotension

SWEAT GLANDS

Increase = sweating, reduce core temperature

Decrease = conserve core temperature

Increase = hyperhidrosis

Decrease = anhidrosis

PARASYMPATHETIC EFFECTS

ORGAN SYSTEM, ORGAN OR TISSUE
PARASYMPA-
THETIC ACTIVATION
ASSOCIATED PSNS DISORDERS

BRAIN

Induce sleep

Depression

HYPOTHALAMUS

Activate

Growth and development

EYES

Pupil constriction

-

LACHRYMAL

Tearing

-

SALIVARY GLANDS

Salivation

Sjøgren's disease

THYROID

Decrease

Hypoactivity

HEART - INTROPY

Decrease

Hypoactivity

HEART - CHRONOTOPY

Decrease

Bradycardia

LUNGS - BRONCHI

-

-

VENTILATION

Increase = slow breathing

Decrease = fast breathing

Increase = hypoxia

Decrease = short of breath

Upper GI

Increase = more motility

Decrease = less motility

Increase = GERD (overactivity)

Decrease = GERD (underactivity), gastroparesis

LOWER GI

Increase = more motility

Decrease = less motility

Increase = diarrhea

Decrease = constipation

PANCREAS

Decrease insulin

Diabetes Mellitus

LIVER

Store glucose and nutrients

Hypoactivity

SPLANCHNIC SYSTEM

Increase = open

Decrease = closed

Hypovolemia

ADRENAL GLANDS

-

-

KIDNEYS

Increase volume

Hyperhydration

RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN

-

-

BLADDER

Decrease sphincter tone - voiding

Frequent urination

SEX FUNCTION - FEMALE

Vaginal lubrication

-

ESTROGEN

Decrease

Perimenopause

SEX FUNCTION - MALE

Erection

No ejaculation

TESTOSTERONE

Decrease

Impotence

PERIPHERAL VASCULATURE

-

-

SWEAT GLANDS

-

-