HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

Which of the following describes an active role of the parasympathetic nervous system?

1. It accelerates heart rate.

2. It stimulates salivary glands.

3. It suppresses digestive activity.

4. It induces sweating.

The correct answer is: It stimulates salivary glands.

The choice that describes an active role of the parasympathetic nervous system is the stimulation of salivary glands. This part of the autonomic nervous system operates primarily during restful states, promoting bodily functions that conserve energy and encourage restorative processes. When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, it enhances activities that aid in digestion and the body's maintenance. Specifically, the stimulation of salivary glands is crucial during the digestive process, as saliva begins the breakdown of food, making it easier to swallow and digest. This function illustrates how the parasympathetic nervous system promotes relaxation and recovery, contrasting with the fight-or-flight responses typically associated with the sympathetic nervous system, which includes functions like elevating heart rate and suppressing digestive activity. Inducing sweating is often linked to thermoregulation and is not primarily a role of the parasympathetic system but rather associated with the sympathetic nervous system’s response to stress or heat.