Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Effects

Effects on various systems and organs:

Eye:
- dilation of pupil; focusing for distance vision
- constriction of pupil; focusing for near vision
Skin:
- Sweat glands:
  - (S) - increases secretion
  - (P) - none (not innervated)
- Arrector pili muscles:
  - (S) - contraction and erection of hairs
  - (P) - none (not innervated)
Tear Glands:
- (S) - none (not innervated)
- (P) - secretion
Cardiovascular System:
- Blood Vessels:
  - (S) - vasoconstriction and vasodilation
  - (P) - none (not innervated)
- Heart:
  - (S) - increases heart rate, force of contraction, and blood pressure
  - (P) - decreases heart rate, force of contraction, and blood pressure
Adrenal Glands:
- (S) - secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine by adrenal medullae
- (P) - none (not innervated)
Respiratory System:
- Airways:
  - (S) - increases diameter
  - (P) - decreases diameter
- Respiratory rate:
  - (S) - increases rate
  - (P) - decreases rate
Digestive System:
- General level of activity:
  - (S) - decreases activity
  - (P) - increases activity
- Liver:
  - (S) - glycogen breakdown and glucose synthesis and release
  - (P) - glycogen synthesis
Skeletal Muscles:
- (S) - increases force of contraction and glycogen breakdown
- (P) - none (not innervated)
Urinary System:
- Kidneys:
  - (S) - decreases urine production
  - (P) - increases urine production
- Urinary bladder:
  - (S) - constricts sphincter and relaxes urinary bladder
  - (P) - tenses urinary bladder and relaxes sphincter to eliminate urine
Reproductive System:
- (S) - increases glandular secretions and ejaculation in males
- (P) - erection of penis in males and clitoris in females

This page was updated in December 2005.