Autonomic Nervous System

Organ / Action Site	Parasympathetic Nervous System / Cholinergic	Sympathetic Nervous System / Adrenergic
	At rest and digest system (Occurs in calm and tranquil conditions)	Fight or flight system (Occurs in stressful conditions)
Ganglion	Acetylcholine: nicotinic receptor	Acetylcholine: nicotinic receptor
Target receptor	Acetylcholine: muscarinic receptor	Norepinephrine: adrenergic receptor (α,β) Epinephrine/adrenaline: adrenergic receptor
Pupils	Contraction (Miosis)	Dilation (Mydriasis)
Lacrimal glands	Contraction (Production of tear)	-
Salivary glands	Copious and watery saliva	Thick and viscid secretions
Trachea and Bronchioles (Lungs)	Bronchoconstriction and increased secretions	Bronchodilation due to activation of β2 receptor
Heart	Increased Heart Rate /Tachycardia / (Chronotropic) Increased Contractility / (Inotropic) due to activation of β1 receptor	Decreased Heart Rate / Bradycardia Decreased Contractility
Blood Vessels	In Skeletal Muscles: vasodilation In Skin, Mucus membrane and GIT: vasoconstriction Increased Resistance (Hypertension)	Vasodilation
Gastrointestinal Tract	Increased Motility (Diarrhea)	Decreased Motility (Constipation)
Urinary Bladder	Urinary Bladder contracts Sphincter dilates (Urination)	Urinary Bladder dilates Sphincter contracts (Urinary retention)
Male genitalia	Ejaculation	Erection (Stimulation)
Uterus	Relaxation	Contraction (Labor)