The sympathetic nerves

The sympathetic nerves form part of the nerve net­work connecting the organ systems with the central ner­vous system. The sympathetic nerves permit an animal to respond to stressful situations and helps control the reaction of the body to stress. Examples of the sympa­thetic reactions are increase in heart rate, decrease in secretion of salivary and digestive glands, and dilation of pupils. The parasympathetic nerves connect both somatic and visceral organs to the central nervous sys­tem, and their primary action is to keep body functions normalized. The ANS works to conserve the body’s resources and to restore equilibrium to the resting state.