parasympathetic nervous system

Also see autonomic nervous system. Presynaptic neurons of the parasympathetic nervous system have their cell bodies in brainstem nuclei or in the lateral column of S2-S4 of the spinal cord. Parasympathetic ganglia lie either near the organ innervated or as intramural ganglia within the organ itself, except in the head. In the head, there are 4 discrete parasympathetic ganglia: 1) ciliary ganglion 2) otic ganglion 3) pterygopalatine ganglion 4) submandibular ganglion Postsynaptic (postganglionic) neurons typically use acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter.

Related

parasympatholytic (anticholinergic, antimuscarinic agent) parasympathomimetic (cholinergic agent)

References

Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999