| Sympathetic Nervous System | Parasympathetic Nervous System |
|---|---|
| Dilates pupils | Contracts pupils |
| Contracts blood vessels | Dilates blood vessels |
| Speeds heart rate | Slows heart rate |
| Speeds breathing | Slows breathing |
| Inhibits salivation | Activates salivation |
| Inhibits digestion | Stimulates digestion |
| Activates sweat glands | Inhibits sweat glands |
| The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system work together to coordinate our internal functioning, including our heart, stomach, and glandular activity. In general, the sympathetic system arouses and expends energy while the parasympathetic system calms and conserves energy. | |