Comparison of Divisions

Arises from thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord

Sympathetic division

Has terminal ganglia

Parasympathetic division

Also called the craniosacral division

Parasympathetic division

Has short preganglionic fibers

Sympathetic division

Controls homeostasis during exercise

Sympathetic division

Adrenergic ganglionic fibers 

Sympathetic division

Controls homeostasis during regular activity or rest

Parasympathetic division

Dilates pupils of the eyes

Sympathetic division

Has short postganglionic fibers 

Parasympathetic division

Increases heart rate

Sympathetic division

Dilates blood vessels to skeletal muscles

Sympathetic division

Increases digestive enzymes

Parasympathetic division

Constricts the bronchi

Parasympathetic division

Tear production

Parasympathetic division

Pupil dilation

Sympathetic division

Pupil constriction

Parasympathetic division

Contracting the ciliary muscle to change the lens shape to see close up

Parasympathetic division

Sweat production increases

Sympathetic division

Contract arrector pili

Sympathetic division

Vasoconstriction at the skin

Sympathetic division

Vasoconstriction in the digestive system (move blood away from the digestive system) 

Sympathetic division

Vasodilation in the skeletal muscles 

Sympathetic division

Vasodilation in the blood vessels serving the heart muscle 

Sympathetic division

Tells the gallbladder to release bile

Parasympathetic division

Saliva production increases 

Parasympathetic division

Movement through the digestive system (peristalsis)

Parasympathetic division

Tells the glands to release digestive enzymes 

Parasympathetic division

Tells the liver to store glycogen

Parasympathetic division

Tells the liver to release glycogen 

Sympathetic division

Increase stomach acid

Parasympathetic division

Increasing heart rate 

Sympathetic division

Decreasing heart rate 

Parasympathetic division

Increasing force of heart contraction

Sympathetic division

Decreasing force of heart contraction 

Parasympathetic division