Table of neurotransmitter actions in the ANS


Circulatory system

[Heart]

TargetSympathetic Parasympathetic
cardiac outputβ1, : increasesM2: decreases
SA node: heart rate β1, : increasesM2: decreases
Atrial cardiac muscle: contractility β1, : increasesM2: decreases
at AV nodeβ1:
increases conduction
increases cardiac muscle automaticity		M2:
decreases conduction
Atrioventricular block
Ventricular cardiac muscleβ1, :
increases contractility
increases cardiac muscle automaticity		---

[Blood vessels]

TargetSympathetic Parasympathetic
vascular smooth muscle in generalα1: contracts; β2: relaxesM3: relaxes
renal arteryα1: constricts---
larger coronary arteriesα1 and α2: constricts---
smaller coronary arteriesβ2: dilates---
arteries to visceraα: constricts---
arteries to skinα: constricts---
arteries to brainα1: constricts---
arteries to erectile tissueα1: constrictsM3: dilates
arteries to salivary glandsα: constrictsM3: dilates
hepatic arteryβ2: dilates---
arteries to skeletal muscleβ2: dilates---
Veinsα1 and α2: constricts
β2: dilates		---

Other

TargetSympathetic Parasympathetic
plateletsα2: aggregates---
mast cells - histamineβ2: inhibits---

[Respiratory system]

✱ The bronchioles have no sympathetic innervation, but are instead affected by circulating adrenaline

[Visual system]

[Digestive system]

[Endocrine system]

[Urinary system]

[Reproductive system]

[Integumentary system]