Etymology
The term "autonomic" comes from the Greek words "auto" (self) and "nomos" (law).
Meaning
Autonomic refers to something that is self-governing or independent of external stimuli or control.
Origin
The concept of autonomy has been explored in various ancient Greek philosophical traditions, including Stoicism and Epicureanism. However, the term "autonomic" in a biological context was first used by Johannes Müller in the 1830s.
Müller observed that certain involuntary bodily functions, such as digestion and circulation, continued even when the brain and spinal cord were removed. He proposed that these functions were regulated by a separate nervous system, which he called the "autonomic nervous system."
The autonomic nervous system was later divided into two branches: the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. The sympathetic division generally activates the body's fight-or-flight response, while the parasympathetic division promotes rest and relaxation.
Today, the term "autonomic" is used in a wide range of fields, including biology, psychology, and engineering. It generally refers to systems or processes that function independently or without conscious control.
Etymology Middle English autonomie Old French autonomie Latin autonomia Greek auton
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Etymology The word autonomous comes from the Greek words autos meaning self and
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