Intro to Autonomics Flashcards

1
Q

The peripheral nervous system is divided into ______ and ______ division

A

Sensory (afferent)

Motor (efferent)

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2
Q

The PNS is functionally divided into sensory and motor divisions. The sensory inputs and motor outputs are subdivided into what 2 categories?

A

Somatic vs. Visceral

General vs. Special

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3
Q

What serves as the general visceral motor + sensory division of the peripheral nervous system, supplying motor neuron innervation to smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands as well as monitoring sensations within visceral organs?

A

The autonomic nervous system and visceral sensory neurons

Regulates visceral functions like heart rate, BP, digestion, and urination

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4
Q

The autonomic nervous system monitors what types of sensations in the visceral organs?

A

Stretch
Temperature
Chemical changes
Irritation

[note that no pain results when visceral organs are cut - pain results from chemical irritation or inflammation]

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5
Q

Visceral pain is often perceived to be of somatic origin. What is this concept called?

A

Referred pain

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6
Q

The autonomic nervous system consists of a 2-neuron system extending from the CNS to the organs. What is this 2-neuron system?

A

Pre-synaptic neurons in the CNS

Post-synaptic neurons in the periphery

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7
Q

Which branch of the ANS is considered catabolic? Why?

A

Sympathetic

Expends energy, prepares for fight-or-flight

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8
Q

The sympathetic nervous system is distributed to all ______ portions of the body; it is responsible for _________ of vessels except for coronary arteries

A

Vascularized

Vascoconstriction

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9
Q

Which branch of the ANS is considered anabolic? Why?

A

Parasympathetic

Promotes normal function - conserves energy; rest and digest

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10
Q

The parasympathetic nervous system is restricted to what body areas?

A

Head, neck, body cavities + genitalia

NOT found in body wall or limbs

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11
Q

All glandular secretion is due to the ______ nervous system with the exception of sweat glands

A

Parasympathetic

[note that sweat glands are controlled by sympathetic system]

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12
Q

What effect does the sympathetic system have on the eyes?

A

Dilates pupils

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13
Q

What effect does the sympathetic system have on the skin? (Specifically arrector pili mm., peripheral blood vessels, sweat glands)

A

Causes hairs to stand on end - goosebumps

Vasoconstricts

Promotes sweating

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14
Q

What effect does the sympathetic system have on lacrimal and salivary glands?

A

Slightly decreases lacrimation

Secretion of saliva decreases, becomes thicker/more viscous

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15
Q

What effect does the sympathetic system have on the heart?

A

Increases heart rate and strength of contraction; inhibits effect of parasympathetic system on coronary vessels, allowing them to dilate

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16
Q

What effect does the sympathetic system have on the lungs?

A

Inhibits effect of parasympathetic system, resulting in bronchodilation and reduced secretion, allowing for max air exchange

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17
Q

What effect does the sympathetic system have on digestive tract?

A

Inhibits peristalsis and constricts blood vessels to gut so that blood is available to skeletal muscle; contracts internal anal sphincter to aid fecal incontinence

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18
Q

What effect does the sympathetic system have on the liver and gallbladder?

A

Promotes breakdown of glycogen to glucose for energy

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19
Q

What effect does the sympathetic system have on the urinary tract?

A

Vasoconstriction of renal vessels slows urine formation; internal sphincter of bladder contracted to maintain urinary continence

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20
Q

What effect does the sympathetic system have on the male genital system?

A

Causes ejaculation and vasoconstriction resulting in remission of erection

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21
Q

What effect does the sympathetic system have on the suprarenal medulla?

A

Release of adrenaline into blood

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22
Q

What effect does the parasympathetic system have on the eyes?

A

Constricts pupil

Contracts ciliary muscle - allowing lens to thicken for near vision

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23
Q

What effect does the parasympathetic system have on the skin?

A

NO effect! Does not reach

24
Q

What effect does the parasympathetic system have on the lacrimal and salivary glands?

A

Promotes secretion from both

25
Q

What effect does the parasympathetic system have on the heart?

A

Decreases rate and strength of contraction (conserving energy); constricts coronary vessels in relation to reduced demand

26
Q

What effect does the parasympathetic system have on the lungs?

A

Constricts bronchi and promotes bronchial secretion

27
Q

What effect does the parasympathetic system have on the digestive tract?

A

Stimulates peristalsis and secretion

Contracts rectum, inhibits internal anal sphincter to cause defecation

28
Q

What effect does the parasympathetic system have on the liver and gallbladder?

A

Promotes building/conservation of glycogen; increaes secretion of bile

29
Q

What effect does the parasympathetic system have on the urinary tract?

A

Inhibits contraction of internal sphincter of bladder, contracts detrusor muscle of bladder causing urination

30
Q

What effect does the parasympathetic system have on the genital system?

A

Produces engorgement (erection) of erectile tissues of the external genitals

31
Q

What effect does the parasympathetic system have on the suprarenal medulla?

A

No effect! Does not innervate

32
Q

Compare the sympathetic vs. parasympathetic nervous systems in terms of length of their post-synaptic fibers

A

Sympathetic: long postsynaptic fibers

Parasympathetic: short postsynaptic fibers

33
Q

Compare the sympathetic vs. parasympathetic nervous systems in terms of branching of fibers

A

Sympathetic: highly branched, influence many organs at once

Parasympathetic: few branches; localized effects

34
Q

Compare the sympathetic vs. parasympathetic nervous systems in terms of neurotransmitter released by POST-synaptic axons

A

Sympathetic: mostly norepinephrine (adrenergic)

Parasympathetic: acetylcholine (cholinergic)

35
Q

The basic organization of the sympathetic division of the ANS:

Presynaptic neurons are found in the _______ _______horn of the spinal cord and exit from spinal nerves ____ to ____

They are linked by short nerves into ________ ________ that contain postsynaptic neurons

A

Lateral (intermediolateral) gray; T1 - L2/3

Sympathetic trunks

36
Q

Sympathetic trunk ganglia are also called what?

A

Paravertebral or chain ganglia, they are found on both sides of the vertebral column

37
Q

The sympathetic division of the ANS supplies _____ organs in the internal body cavities and structures of _______ body regions

A

Visceral; superficial

38
Q

Presynaptic sympathetic neurons are arranged in interomediolateral cell columns along T1-L2/3 of the spinal cord, supplying corresponding body areas. This is known as the ________ arrangement of presynaptic sympathetic neurons

A

Somatotopic

39
Q

The pre and post synaptic fibers of the sympathetic system communicate at the sympathetic trunks in the thoracic region via _____ and _____ _________

A

White (pre); gray (post) communicans

40
Q

Sympathetic presynaptic neurons in the _____ horn of the spinal cord send myelinated axons through the adjacent _____ root into spinal nerves

______ _____ ________ carry these axons from the spinal nerve to the associated sympathetic trunk ganglia where they synapse

______ ______ _______ carry post-synaptic sympathetic fibers back to the spinal nerve to travel to peripheral structures

A

Lateral; ventral

White rami communicans

Gray rami communicans

41
Q

T/F: sympathetic axons may ascend or descend in the sympathetic trunk to synapse in another ganglion

A

True

42
Q

In the sympathetic pathway via prevertebral (collateral) ganglia, axons pass through the sympathetic trunk and exit on _______ ______ nerves.

This is only found where??

A

Thoracic splanchnic

Found only in abdomen and pelvis; lies anterior to vertebral column

43
Q

In the sympathetic pathway via prevertebral (collateral) ganglia, axons pass through the sympathetic trunk and exit on thoracic splanchnic nerves. This is found only in the abdomen and pelvis and lies anterior to the vertebral column.

The axons synapse in prevertebral (collateral) ganglia on what structures? What effect does this have?

A

Abdominal aorta
Celiac ganglia
Superior and inferior mesenteric ganglia

Inhibits activity of muscles and glands in visceral organs

44
Q

What is the role of the adrenal medulla in the sympathetic division of the ANS?

A

It is a major organ of the sympathetic nervous system

Preganglionic fibers synapse on medullary chromaffin cells, which release great quantities of epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine when stimulated

NOTE that this is an exception to the 2-neuron pathway for the ANS

45
Q

How does the parasympathetic division of the ANS represent cranial outflow?

A

Presynaptic neurons located in brainstem exit via cranial nerves and innervate organs of the head, neck, thorax, and abdomen

46
Q

Describe the sacral outflow of the parasympathetic division of the ANS

A

Sacral nerves emerge from S2 to S4

Supplies and innervates organs of pelvis and lower abdomen

47
Q

Sacral outflow of the parasympathetic division of the ANS consists of presynaptic cell bodies located in the ____ _____ region of spinal ___ matter.

Axons run in _____ roots out via _____ rami. These form ____ _____ nerves.

Sacral outflow is distributed through the ______ ______ plexus

A

Visceral motor; gray

Ventral; ventral; pelvic splanchnic

Inferior hypogastric

48
Q

What nervous system consists of neurons in the wall of the GI tract from the esophagus to the anus?

A

Enteric nervous system

Capable of autonomous functions such as coordination of GI reflexes

49
Q

Enteric neurons also include postsynaptic neurons for what 2 major nerves?

A

Cranial nerve X - vagus

Pelvic splanchnic nerves

50
Q

The sympathetic nervous system uses acetylcholine at presynaptic synapses and norepinephrine at postsynaptic synapses.

What is the exception?

A

Post-synaptic synapses in sweat glands are cholinergic

51
Q

The presynaptic neurons are located in the brainstem and sacral spinal cord.

What makes up the cranial part?

What makes up the sacral part?

A

Cranial part = CN III, VII, IX, X

Sacral part = interomediolateral cell column in S2-4 of spinal cord

52
Q

A non-selective muscarinic receptor blocker is given to a patient. Which organ will most likely be unaffected?

A. Sweat glands
B. Adrenal glands
C. Heart
D. Vasculature

A

B. Adrenal glands

[these have no ganglion, nicotinic receptors receive ACh]

53
Q

Which pharmacologic agent would treat the chief complaint of diarrhea?

A. Muscarinic receptor agonist
B. Nicotinic receptor antagonist
C. Adrenergic receptor agonist

A

C. Adrenergic receptor agonist

[decreases peristalsis in GI tract, favors constipation]

54
Q

Describe spinal distribution of sympathetic vs. parasympathetic nervous system

A

Parasympathetic has sacral and cervical divisions

Sympathetics are located in thoracolumbar area

55
Q

Which one has the long preganglionic nerve - sympathetic fibers or parasympathetic fibers?

A

Parasympathetic ANS