PSC 168 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Debriefing, Migraine, Coronary Artery Disease
Document Summary
Autonomic nervous system(ans): the network of nerve fibers that connect the central nervous system to all the other organs of the body. Endocrine system: the system of glands located throughout the body that help control important activities such as growth and sexual activity. Sympathetic nervous system: the nerve fibers of the autonomic nervous system that quicken the heartbeat and produce other changes experienced as arousal and fear. Parasympathetic nervous system: the nerve fibers of the autonomic nervous system that help maintain normal organ functioning. They also slow organ functioning after stimulation and return other bodily processes to normal. Hypothalamic -pituitary -adrenal (hpa) pathway: one route by which the brain and body produce arousal and fear. At times of stress, the hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland, which in turn signals the adrenal glands. Stress hormones are then released to various body organs. Corticosteroids: a group of hormones, including cortisol, released by the adrenal glands at times of stress.
