The Autonomic Nervous System

The Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary bodily functions such as breathing, digestion, heart rate and blood pressure. It is part of the peripheral nervous system, which helps to control nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. Neurons send signals to various organs to help maintain balance in the body, which is known as homeostasis.

Nervous System

Autonomic Nervous System Anatomy Charts for Visual Learning

Studying the structure and function of the autonomic nervous system can be made much clearer with the aid of high-quality anatomical charts. Our collection of nervous system posters provides accurate, full-colour diagrams that highlight the connections between the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric divisions. Perfect for students, teachers, and healthcare professionals, these charts bring clarity to complex neurological pathways and support classroom and clinical education alike.

Autonomic Nervous System Function

The autonomic system has three main divisions: the sympathetic nervous system, the parasympathetic nervous system, and the enteric nervous system. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems work in opposition to each other.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for our “fight or flight” response, which activates when we are in a potentially dangerous situation. Examples of what happens in the body during this response include increased heart rate, pupil dilation, and increased blood flow to the muscles

Explore Our Nervous System Models

For a hands-on learning experience, our anatomical nervous system models allow you to examine the key elements of the peripheral and autonomic nervous systems in three dimensions. Whether you're looking at the layout of the spinal nerves, or the pathways of autonomic ganglia, these detailed models offer a clear and tactile understanding of the subject. Ideal for physiotherapists, tutors, and students preparing for exams or presentations.


Our models are carefully designed for both anatomical accuracy and durability, making them suitable for educational settings, universities, clinics, and professional environments.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The parasympathetic nervous system is our “rest and digest” response. This system works to calm the body and promote digestion. Some examples of what happens in the body include increased blood flow to the digestive system, a slower heart rate, and the secretion of saliva.

Enteric Nervous System

The enteric nervous system is a complex network of neurones located within the digestive system. This division helps with chemical and mechanical changes in the gut and regulates digestive secretions.

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Visual Aids to better Understand Anatomy

Understanding anatomy can be far more effective with high quality visual tools. Our range of anatomical models, posters and revision guides allow students and professionals to deepen their understanding through visual and tactile learning. Whether you're preparing for an exam, teaching a class, or working in a clinical setting, our resources provide a practical and engaging way to study human anatomy.

About the Author

Written by: Liz Paton, MSc

Liz is a medical writer and illustrator with an MSc in Medical Art and a BA in Medical Illustration focusing on pre-medical sciences. She has worked with healthcare professionals and educators globally creating anatomically accurate learning materials.

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