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My body's after-dinner activities are controlled by the autonomic nervous system, specifically the parasympathetic nervous system.
The Vagus Nerve is responsible for the primary functions of taste from the epiglottis, proprioception from the throat and voice box muscles, monitoring blood pressure and oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, touch, pain, and thermal sensations from the skin of the external ear, sensations from the thoracic and abdominal organs, swallowing, vocalization, and coughing, motility and secretion of the gastrointestinal organs, constriction of respiratory passageways, and decreasing heart rate.
Several organs involved, Major nerve supply to each organ, and Effects of the nervous system on their functions:
Esophagus- Vagus Nerve (X): the vagus can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to contract or relax.
Stomach- Vagus Nerve (X): tells the stomach to churn the food within it, as well as produce stomach acid needed for digestion
Pancreas- Vagus Nerve (X): the vagus nerve affects the pancreatic exocrine and endocrine secretion.
Liver- Vagus Nerve (X): signals the liver to regulate hepatic metabolic function, such as glucose production control.
Gallbladder- Vagus Nerve (X): contributes to variations in the pressure of the gallbladder
Small intestine- Vagus Nerve (X): instructs your intestine muscle to contract in order to push food and waste through your digestive system
Large intestine- Vagus Nerve (X): instructs your intestine muscle to contract in order to push food and waste through your digestive system
Rectum- Pelvic nerve: controls the opening and closing of the internal urethral sphincter and regulates urinary bladder discharge
Heart- Vagus Nerve (X): regulates beat control of heart rate
Lungs- Vagus Nerve (X): controls pulmonary function and regulates respiration
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These signs indicate that my friend's sympathetic nervous system (autonomic nervous system) has been activated. These symptoms, such as her heart racing, goose bumps, and sweaty hands, are all involuntary. Because of the stress of avoiding the bicycle immediately, the sympathetic nervous system senses an emergency, which aids the body in remembering and visualizing the sympathetic responses. A high sympathetic tone promotes body functions and increases ATP production. My friend's fight-or-flight response activated her sympathetic division and caused the adrenal medullae to release hormones into her body.
References:
Neuvana. (2021). The vagus nerve and digestion: How are they connected? Neuvana, from https://neuvanalife.com/blogs/blog/the-vagus-nerve-and-digestion-how-are-they-connected
Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. H. (2018). Principles of anatomy and physiology. John Wiley & Sons.