Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems

Does The Sympathetic Nervous System Increase or Decrease Urination?

The sympathetic nervous system, which is a part of the autonomic nervous system, primarily functions to prepare the body for a fight-or-flight response in stressful situations. When activated, it generally inhibits activities that are not immediately essential, such as digestion and urination.

Therefore, the sympathetic nervous system tends to decrease urination. This is because the sympathetic nerves innervate the smooth muscles of the bladder and the internal urethral sphincter, causing them to contract and prevent the release of urine.

Conversely, the parasympathetic nervous system, another branch of the autonomic nervous system, stimulates activities that conserve energy and promote digestion, including urination. Parasympathetic stimulation leads to relaxation of the bladder walls and the contraction of the detrusor muscle, which helps to expel urine from the body.

However, it is important to note that the regulation of urination is a complex process involving various factors such as hormonal control, psychological factors, and bladder capacity. Multiple systems work in tandem to maintain a balance between storing urine and releasing it at appropriate times.

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