Autonomic Nervous System The autonomic nervous system controls
all "automatic" body functions, such as breathing, heart rate,
blood pressure, sweating, mouth-watering (salivating), and the
movement of food through the intestines (peristalsis). The
autonomic nervous system reacts when a person is facing a
dangerous or frightening situation and will automatically
increase the heart rate and breathing and move blood to the
muscles. The autonomic nervous system differs from the voluntary
nervous system, which allows a person to control the muscles and
body movements. eMedicineHealth Medical Reference from
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