MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The autonomic nervous system is a component of the peripheral nervous system that regulates involuntary physiologic processes including heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, digestion, and sexual arousal. It contains three anatomically distinct divisions: sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric.

Detailed explanation-2: -Within the brain, the ANS is located in the medulla oblongata in the lower brainstem. The medulla’s major ANS functions include respiration, cardiac regulation, vasomotor activity, and certain reflex actions (such as coughing, sneezing, vomiting, and swallowing).

Detailed explanation-3: -Autonomic reflexes are types of reflexes carried out by the autonomic nervous system, while somatic reflexes are types of reflexes carried out by the somatic nervous system or voluntary nervous system.

Detailed explanation-4: -The parasympathetic nervous system manages non-alarm state reflexes in the body. A general non-alarm state is engaged in the body when changes in the environment (or general environmental conditions) are familiar and non-threatening.