Thoracolumbar portion of the autonomic nervous system centrally involved in responding to arousing stimuli. Most sympathetic nerves are adrenergic and prepare the body to respond to increased demands. Sympathetic nervous activation increases blood flow from the heart, triggers the release of glucose and epinephrine, dilates the pupils, and initiates other responses in preparation for action. Unlike most of the sympathetic nervous system, sympathetic nerves to the eccrine sweat glands are cholinergic.
