Final answer:
The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for stress-related activities, often inhibiting genitourinary functions, while the parasympathetic nervous system supports restful states by facilitating processes such as urination. They work antagonistically to maintain homeostasis within the genitourinary system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system have opposing effects on the genitourinary system. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, which generally results in the inhibition of the genitourinary system's activities during stressful situations. For instance, it may cause the bladder sphincter to contract, preventing urination. In contrast, the parasympathetic nervous system promotes the "rest and digest" response, and in the genitourinary system, it facilitates activities such as urination by causing the detrusor muscle in the bladder to contract and the sphincter muscles to relax, thus promoting micturition.
While the sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for stress-related activities, the parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to routine operations and maintains homeostasis. The actions of both systems are essential for normal function, and they often work in a complementary fashion. For example, the activation of the detrusor muscle is under the control of the parasympathetic system, but the sensation and voluntary control of voiding are governed by the somatic nervous system, demonstrating the complex interplay between these systems.