title: Functional anatomy of the autonomic nervous system.
abstract: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) via its sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions influences the function of nearly all organ systems. Via autonomic reflexes, the ANS is responsible for maintaining homeostasis of the internal environment. This is achieved by a rather complex integration of autonomic sensory information, somatic sensory information, and descending influences from higher central nervous system centers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44915-5226.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Shields
mesh_terms: D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology