Definition of sympathetic nervous system - NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms

Page Options

	Quick Links


	Director's Corner Updates from the Director Dictionary of Cancer Terms Cancer-related terms NCI Drug Dictionary Definitions, names, and links Funding Opportunities Research and training NCI Publications Order/download free booklets Advisory Boards and Groups Information, meetings, reports Science Serving People Learn more about NCI Español Información en español

Questions about cancer?


	1-800-4-CANCER

	LiveHelp® online chat

Quit Smoking Today

	NCI Highlights


	Report to Nation Finds Declines in Cancer Incidence, Death Rates High Dose Chemotherapy Prolongs Survival for Leukemia Prostate Cancer Study Shows No Benefit for Selenium, Vitamin E The Nation's Investment in Cancer Research FY 2009 Past Highlights

Search for

Starts with

Contains

In English En español

sympathetic nervous system (SIM-puh-THEH-tik NER-vus SISS-tum)

The part of the nervous system that increases heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and pupil size. It also causes blood vessels to narrow and decreases digestive juices.

Previous Definitions:	survivorship, Sutent, SV40, sweet elm, SWS
Next Definitions:	symptom, symptom management, symptomatic, syncytium, syndrome