Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Sistema nervioso parasimpático
Parasympathetic nervous system (PA-ruh-SIM-puh-THEH-tik NER-vus SIS-tem)
The part of the nervous system that slows the heart, dilates blood vessels, decreases pupil size, increases digestive juices, and relaxes muscles in the gastrointestinal tract.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.