This theoretical manual summarizes classical and modern ideas about the structure and functions of the autonomic nervous system in normal conditions and in various types of pathological disorders. The monograph examines in detail the general plan of the structure of the autonomic nervous system and the structural features of the sympathetic, parasympathetic and metasympathetic divisions. Special attention is paid to experimental and theoretical data on mediators and receptors in the autonomic nervous system. The chapter "Essay on the normal and pathological physiology of the autonomic nervous system" discusses the functional activity of all three departments and methods for studying autonomic dysfunctions. Of particular interest are physiological and immunohistochemical data on the participation of peptide cotransmitters in autonomic regulation and on the role of regulatory peptides in the development of autonomic stress of various etiologies.The book is addressed primarily to physiologists and pharmacologists, as well as to all biologists physicians, psychologists interested in aspects of normal and pathological physiology of the autonomic nervous system, its mediators and cotransmitters.