(こうかん)(しんけい)

こうかんしんけい
noun
sympathetic nerve; sympathetic nervous system
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
ストレスで交感(こうかん)神経(しんけい)優位(ゆうい)になる。
The sympathetic nervous system becomes dominant due to stress.
交感(こうかん)神経(しんけい)活発(かっぱつ)になると心拍数(しんぱくすう)()がる。
When the sympathetic nervous system becomes active, the heart rate rises.
(よる)になっても交感(こうかん)神経(しんけい)(たか)ぶったままだと、なかなか(ねむ)れなくなる。
If the sympathetic nervous system remains heightened at night, it becomes difficult to fall asleep.

Part of the 自律(じりつ)神経(しんけい) (autonomic nervous system), responsible for the body's active, alert state. Composed of 交感(こうかん) (sympathetic, responsive) + 神経(しんけい) (nerve). Commonly discussed in health articles about stress, sleep, and relaxation techniques.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 交感(こうかん)神経(しんけい)優位(ゆうい)になる — the sympathetic nervous system becomes dominant
  • 交感(こうかん)神経(しんけい)活発(かっぱつ)になる — the sympathetic nervous system becomes active
  • 交感(こうかん)神経(しんけい)副交感(ふくこうかん)神経(しんけい) — sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves
  • 交感(こうかん)神経(しんけい)興奮(こうふん) — sympathetic nerve excitation

THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM:

  • 自律(じりつ)神経(しんけい) — autonomic nervous system (umbrella term)
  • 交感(こうかん)神経(しんけい) — sympathetic (fight-or-flight: accelerates heart, dilates pupils)
  • 副交感(ふくこうかん)神経(しんけい) — parasympathetic (rest-and-digest: slows heart, promotes digestion)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 副交感(ふくこうかん)神経(しんけい) — parasympathetic nerve (the complementary system for rest)
  • 自律(じりつ)神経(しんけい) — autonomic nervous system (includes both)
  • 末梢(まっしょう)神経(しんけい) — peripheral nerve