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Sympathomedullary Pathway

Level:
A-Level
Board:
AQA, Edexcel, IB, OCR

Last updated 22 Mar 2021

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The sympathomedullary pathway (sometimes called SAM) is a bodily system designed to facilitate coping with acutely stressful situations. It is often life-saving as it means an individual can react with speed when they come under threat or they perceive that they are under threat.

It is a process within the sympathetic branch of the Autonomic Nervous System and the end result is the release of adrenaline, which aids the fight or flight response. The process is outlined in the diagram below

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