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Review
. 2025 Nov;603(22):6719-6731.
doi: 10.1113/JP288973. Epub 2025 Sep 16.

The autonomic nervous system: Time for a conceptual reframing?

Alexandru C Barboi  1 , Vaughan G Macefield  2
Affiliations
Review

The autonomic nervous system: Time for a conceptual reframing?

Alexandru C Barboi et al. J Physiol. 2025 Nov.

Abstract

After having reviewed the history of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and how Langley's concept of the ANS was born, we suggest that the terms 'cranial visceral' and 'spinal visceral' nerves are more appropriate. We discuss the limitations of the terms 'sympathetic' and 'parasympathetic' nerves and functions and suggest a way forward that avoids these terms altogether. We propose that the term 'autonomic' should not refer to a separate nervous system, because somatic components of the nervous system can also operate automatically, i.e. in a manner that is not under voluntary control.

Keywords: ANS; Langley; autonomic nervous system; history; parasympathetic; sympathetic.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this work.

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