ABSTRACT
The anatomy of the sympathetic system is quite primitive. The system is intermingled with almost amoebic–shaped paraspinal ganglia and plexi. When an extremity becomes inactive, the sympathetic nervous system reflexly reduces blood circulation to the skin of the extremity. The central temperature regulation is achieved by the hypothalamus through the sympathetic nervous system both centrally and peripherally. The sympathetic nervous system functions symmetrically, and the increase and decrease of temperature in normal conditions is influenced by the sympathetic nervous system bilaterally. The sympathetic nervous system works quite symmetrically on the two sides of the body, and any significant thermal asymmetry on the surface of the skin points to dysfunction of this system. Normally the sympathetic nervous system quite consistently preserves this symmetry of temperature. The sympathetic nervous system stimulation enhances skin vasoconstriction on the one hand and bone and muscle vasodilation on the other. Inhibition of this system has the opposite effect.
