In the previous post talk about the sympathetic nervous system today I will talk about the parasympathetic nervous system has realized that relax after an effort or a stress situation. Regulate the heartbeat after a race or a start. Relax our lungs and reduce the entry of oxygen and thus promote a state of calm ... All those essential processes in our day to day, regulates and controls an essential part of our body: the parasympathetic nervous system.

                                                  Source imagen

Recently we spoke in our space about the sympathetic nervous system and its participation in other types of behavior: those related to activation, the physiological response to a threat, to stress, etc. In this case, we are in that part of the autonomic nervous system that facilitates the re-establishment of bodily energy. Also, are tasks that this set of nerve fibers and ramifications carry out without conscious control.

Beyond what may seem, the subject is undoubtedly interesting in many more aspects than we think. It is because knowing the functioning of this type of structure makes it easier for us to better understand why we are the way we are, and in turn, to discover how we can mediate our health and well-being. An example of this is what they explain to us in studies like the one carried out at the Harvard Medical University and published in the journal Music Perception

According to this work, music has a therapeutic effect on the parasympathetic nervous system in people who have alterations in this area. It does so by improving its activity and its functions. This is undoubtedly explained by its ability to promote calm and relaxation, thus mediating the characteristic that defines the system. Let's see more data below.

"As the bone to the human body, and the axis to a wheel, and the wing to a bird, and the air to the wing, so is freedom the essence of life. How much without it is done is imperfect. "

Where is the parasympathetic nervous system distributed?

As we have already pointed out at the beginning, the parasympathetic nervous system is part of the autonomic nervous system. Now, to get an idea of where it is, we must place ourselves right in the brain. It is from here where it starts, through a series of cranial nerves. Later, we must descend to another area, to another area of the spinal cord, which is the sacrum, where it innervates from S2 to S4.

Let us see however in detail how it is distributed

Cranial area: in this zone the parasympathetic nervous system connects with the hypothalamus, the mesencephalon and the rhombocephalus. Likewise, the vagus nerve, which reaches the heart, lungs and digestive tract to carry out vital functions, is of great importance here.

Sacral area: this region is no longer connected to the intracranial level, but in the spinal cord itself. Here it innervates with the urogenital zone to regulate tasks such as urination.

Likewise, it should be noted that the communication between neurons is carried out by means of acetylcholine, both at the preganglionic and postganglionic levels.

                                                 Source imagen

Functions of the parasympathetic nervous system

We know that the sympathetic nervous system mediates our energy savings. That is, it helps us move from a state of alert to one of calm. However, we can say that it carries out more tasks, more essential functions for our survival and that we perform unconsciously or involuntarily. They are the following.

Cardiovascular system

The functions of the parasympathetic system in the cardiovascular system are controlled by the vagus nerve. Thus, its main task is to regulate the heart rate, both the frequency and the strength of the contraction. It also reduces blood pressure.

Also, and no less interesting, we can say that thanks to the parasympathetic system we can improve cognitive processes as important as memory, attention, problem solving ... According to a study published in the University of Psychology, Ruhr Bochum, in Germany, when our Heart rate is regulated and the heart rate is less accelerated, our brain works much better.

Digestive system

Average in the process of digestion in various ways: controls the stomach wall facilitating contractions and peristaltic activity, and facilitates the secretion of hormones such as gastrin, secretin and insulin. It also regulates salivation and swallowing.

On the other hand, there is one aspect that we can not forget: digestion demands a high energy cost. Therefore, what the parasympathetic nervous system does is to focus all the energy during this process in our digestive system.

Excretory system

The parasympathetic system controls and regulates both the process of elimination of the sphincters and the coordination of urination.

Genital system

This structure formed by nerves and ganglia has a key relevance in our sexuality. Thanks to this system sexual arousal is favored.

Respiratory system

The function of this system in our lungs is key to stimulate bronchoconstriction. That is, that mechanism by which the airways are narrowed to block or decrease the flow of oxygen we receive.

Visual system

When we are in a state of rest and this system considers that it is not necessary that we capture more light, it contracts our pupil.

Parasympathetic Nervous System Anatomy (Video)

Source youtube (anatomyzone)

To conclude, as we have been able to discover, the human body is as complex as it is perfect at the same time. We are those beings prepared to react to any stimulus, to adapt to any circumstance and regulate our body according to our needs. Understanding each process of the autonomic nervous system (including the sympathetic and parasympathetic system) allows us to know much more about ourselves.

This is all for today friends I hope to see you in my next post.

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