The nervous system that controls respiration is called autonomic because it isn't subject to voluntary control. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is responsible for regulating the functions of the body's internal organs like the heart, stomach, and intestines. It is a division of the peripheral nervous system that acts unconsciously and it regulates bodily functions like heart rate, digestion, and respiration. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that regulates the Autonomic Nervous System. Other reflex reactions like coughing, sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting are also part of autonomic functions that occur in the body.