Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous System

The sympathetic and parasympathetic systems together are the parts of the nervous system that act in tandem to maintain a state of homeostasis in the body. Before we go on to understand the various responses and effects of these two systems, we need to understand where these two systems originate from. The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (consisting of the brain and the spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (consisting of nerve branches arising from the brain and spinal cord). The peripheral nervous system is further divided into the somatic and the autonomic nervous system. It is the autonomic nervous system that is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

Sympathetic Nervous System
The sympathetic nervous system is one of the parts of the peripheral nervous system. The sympathetic nerves originate in the vertebrate column beginning in the first thoracic segment of the spinal cord, extending upwards until the second or the third lumbar segments. The main function of the sympathetic nervous system is to mobilize the body's response under stressful circumstances. Thus, the sympathetic nervous system initializes the 'fight or flight' response of the body. The sympathetic system innervates many different organs of the body, such as the eyes, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, heart, etc. It causes an increase in the heart rate and in the rate of secretions. It also increases the secretion of renin from the kidneys. There is also stimulation of release of glucose from the liver, which is released into the blood so as to make it available for use by the body.

Parasympathetic Nervous System
The parasympathetic nervous system is a division of the autonomic nervous system. This is the part of the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for the 'rest and digest' phase of the body. The nerves of this system send fibers to cardiac muscles, smooth muscles and to glandular tissue. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for bringing about an increase in salivation, tear production, urination, digestion and defecation. The basic parasympathetic system involves functions and actions which do not require an immediate reaction in the surrounding.

Difference Between Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Systems
There are many differences that exist, as these two systems act in opposing manners. Given below are the various different effects brought about by these two systems on different organs of the body:

Parasympathetic Nervous System	Sympathetic Nervous System
Constriction of pupils	Dilation of pupils
Stimulation of secretion of saliva	Inhibition of secretion of saliva
Decreases the heart rate, thus, causing a drop in the blood pressure	Increases the heart rate, thus, causing an increase in the blood pressure
Constricts the bronchi and thus, decreasing the diameter of airway	Dilates the bronchi, thus, increasing the diameter of airway
Stimulates activity of digestive system, like stimulation of peristalsis	Inhibits activity of the digestive system, like inhibition of peristalsis
Stimulates gallbladder secretions	Decreases gallbladder secretions
Contracts urinary bladder	Relaxes urinary bladder
Relaxes rectum	Contracts rectum

Thus, as can be inferred from the above given table, the responses and effects of both the systems are complementary in nature, rather than being antagonistic. The sympathetic division acts as the accelerator and the parasympathetic division acts as a decelerator of the human body. Thus, these two systems try and maintain the body in a normal state of homeostasis for the maximum possible time. At a time, only one of the two systems are activated in the body, depending on the type of innervation brought about and the hormones released.