The autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates involuntary body functions like heart rate and digestion. It is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. The sympathetic division prepares the body for emergency situations through fight or flight responses. The parasympathetic division regulates restorative processes like digestion. Autonomic reflexes occur through reflex arcs involving sensory receptors, neurons in the central nervous system, and autonomic motor neurons to effectors like the heart and gut. The hypothalamus is a major control center that regulates the balance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic activity.
4. Somatic versus Autonomic NS All somatic motor pathways consist of a single motor neuron Autonomic motor pathways consists of two motor neurons in series
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