1.
sympathetic nerve; sympathetic nervous system
the part of the autonomic nervous system that activates the body's fight-or-flight response, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness
Part of the 自律神経 (autonomic nervous system), responsible for the body's active, alert state. Composed of 交感 (sympathetic, responsive) + 神経 (nerve). Commonly discussed in health articles about stress, sleep, and relaxation techniques.
Common collocations
- 交感神経が優位になる — the sympathetic nervous system becomes dominant
- 交感神経が活発になる — the sympathetic nervous system becomes active
- 交感神経と副交感神経 — sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves
- 交感神経の興奮 — sympathetic nerve excitation
The autonomic nervous system
- 自律神経 — autonomic nervous system (umbrella term)
- 交感神経 — sympathetic (fight-or-flight: accelerates heart, dilates pupils)
- 副交感神経 — parasympathetic (rest-and-digest: slows heart, promotes digestion)