Which of the following functions does the sympathetic nervous system NOT perform?

The sympathetic nervous system is a crucial component of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for stressful situations, often referred to as the "fight or flight" response. It is responsible for increasing heart rate, dilating airways, and redirecting blood flow to essential areas such as muscles.

Stimulating digestion, on the other hand, is primarily managed by the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes the "rest and digest" state of the body. When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, it generally inhibits digestive processes in order to allocate resources towards immediate survival needs. This physiological shift underscores the primary role of the sympathetic nervous system in enhancing alertness and physical readiness, rather than promoting functions like digestion, which are not prioritized during stress. Thus, the function that the sympathetic nervous system does not perform is the stimulation of digestion.