Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Sistema nervioso simpático
Sympathetic nervous system (SIM-puh-THEH-tik NER-vus SISS-tum)
The part of the nervous system that increases heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and pupil size. It also causes blood vessels to narrow and decreases digestive juices.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.