autonomically

Autonomically is an adverb used to describe actions, processes, or states that are governed by or occur through the autonomic nervous system, or more broadly that happen without conscious direction. In physiology, autonomic processes are typically involuntary and regulated automatically to maintain homeostasis, such as heart rate, digestion, and respiration.

In medical and physiological contexts, autonomically regulated functions are described as being controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which comprises the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. For example, the heart rate can change autonomically in response to exercise or stress, and digestive motility is governed autonomically rather than by conscious control. The term can also appear in discussions of autonomic reflexes and other involuntary bodily responses.

Etymology and usage notes: autonomically derives from autonomic, which itself comes from the Greek auto- “self” and nomos “law, governance.” The adverb form -ally attaches to the root to describe manner or method. It is commonly found in academic or clinical writing. It is distinct from autonomously, which describes actions taken by a self-governing agent or entity acting independently. In everyday language, autonomically is less frequent; more common phrases describe regulation or control as “autonomic,” or say that a process occurs “automatically,” unless the intended meaning is specifically about autonomic nervous system control.