Difference Between Sympathetic And Parasympathetic

Difference Between Sympathetic And Parasympathetic

Question 1. What are the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?
Answer.

The sympathetic and parasympathetic are the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system.

• Sympathetic nervous system: This division of the autonomic nervous system is also called ‘thoracolumbar outflow’ because its preganglionic nerve fibres arise from thoracic and upper two lumbar (T1 to L2) spinal segments.
  • In general, the sympathetic nervous system mobilizes the body’s energy during flight and fight, i.e. during an emergency.
• Parasympathetic nervous system: This division of the autonomic nervous system is also called craniosacral outflow because its preganglionic fibres arise from brainstem nuclei (e.g. Edinger–Westphal nucleus, lacrimatory nucleus, and superior and inferior salivatory nuclei) and 2nd, 3rd and 4th sacral (S2, S3, and S4) spinal segments.
  • In general, the parasympathetic nervous system conserves the body’s energy, during sleep.

Question 2. Enumerate the functional differences between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Answer.

Differences Between Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous System