| parasympathectomy | The removal or interruption of some part of the parasympathetic nervous system for therapeutic or research purposes. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| parasympathetic | Pertaining to a division of the autonomic nervous system. See: autonomic nervous system. (05 Mar 2000) |
| parasympathetic fibres, postganglionic | Nerve fibres which project from parasympathetic ganglia to synapses on target organs. Parasympathetic postganglionic fibres use acetylcholine as transmitter. They may also release peptide cotransmitters. (12 Dec 1998) |
| parasympathetic ganglia | Those ganglia of the autonomic nervous system composed of cholinergic neurons receiving afferent fibres from preganglionic visceral motor neurons in either the brainstem or the middle sacral spinal segments (S2 to S4); on the basis of their location with respect to the organs they innervate, most parasympathetic ganglia, at least outside the head, can be categorised as juxtamural or intramural ganglia. See: autonomic nervous system. (05 Mar 2000) |
| parasympathetic nerve | <anatomy, nerve> One of the nerve's of the parasympathetic nervous system. (05 Mar 2000) |
| parasympathetic nervous system | <anatomy, neurology> One of the two divisions of the vertebrate autonomic nervous sytem. Parasympathetic nerves emerge cranially as pre ganglionic fibres from oculomotor, facial, glossopharyngeal and vagus and from the sacral region of the spinal cord. most neurons are cholinergic and responses are mediated by muscarinic receptors. The parasympathetic system innervates, for example: salivary glands, thoracic and abdominal viscera, bladder and genitalia. Compare:. Sympathetic nervous system. (18 Nov 1997) |
| parasympathetic root of ciliary ganglion | A branch of the oculomotor nerve supplying parasympathetic preganglionic nerve fibres to the ciliary ganglion. Synonym: radix parasympathica ganglii ciliaris, radix oculomotoria ganglii ciliaris, motor root of ciliary ganglion, oculomotor root of ciliary ganglion, radix brevis ganglii ciliaris, short root of ciliary ganglion. (05 Mar 2000) |
| parasympatholytic | Relating to an agent that annuls or antagonises the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system; e.g., atropine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| parasympatholytics | Agents that inhibit the actions of the parasympathetic nervous system. The major group of drugs used therapeutically for this purpose is the muscarinic antagonists. (12 Dec 1998) |
| parasympathomimetic | 1. <pharmacology> Producing effects resembling those of stimulation of the parasympathetic nerve supply to a part. 2. An agent that produces effects similar to those produced by stimulation of the parasympathetic nerves, usually refers to drugs that mimic the effects of parasympathetic nervous system activity. Includes drugs that directly stimulate muscarinic receptors and drugs that potentiate cholinergic activity, usually by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine (cholinesterase inhibitor). Drugs that stimulate both sympathetic and parasympathetic postganglionic neurons (ganglionic stimulants) are not included. Synonym: cholinergic. Origin: Gr. Mimetikos = imitative (12 Dec 1998) |
| parasympathotonia | Hyperexcitability of the vagus nerve, a condition in which the vagus nerve dominates in the general functioning of the body organs. It is marked by vasomotor instability, constipation, sweating and involuntary motor spasms with pain. (18 Nov 1997) |