Authonomic Nervous System

Question 1

What are the broad overall functions of the Authonomic Nervous System?

Answer 1

• regulates the ability to respond to circumstances from moment to moment in everyday life
• maintains and regulates life-supporting organs
• links the physical body with emotions and psyche

Question 2

What are the two divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System? What is the broad overall function of each of these divisions?

Answer 2

Parasympathetic - primarily concerned with vegetative processes
Sympathetic - primarily concerned with responses to the environment

Question 3

Which part of the Central Nervous System regulates the Autonomic Nervous System?

Answer 3

Hypothalamus

Question 4

What is the principal neurotransmitter secreted by the parasympathetic nerve ending?

Answer 4

Acetyl Coline

Question 5

What is the principal neurotransmitter secreted by sympathetic nerves endings?

Answer 5

Noradrenalin

Question 6

What is meant by a two-neuron pathway?

Answer 6

The somatic pathway is a one neuron pathway from spinal chord to its destination in the periphery whilst the autonomic motor pathway is a two neuron pathway from spinal chord to a ganglion (preganglionic neuron) and the second from the ganglion to the periphery or viscera (postganglionic neuron).

Question 7

Where do parasympathetic nerve fibers emerge from the CNS?

Answer 7

Cranial nerves III VII IX X with cell bodies located in the brain stem
Sacral nerves S234 with cell bodies located in the spinal chord

Question 8

Where do sympathetic fibres emerge from the CNS?

Answer 8

All sympathetic fibres emerge either from the thoracic or lumbar spine between T1 and L2 - sympathetic neurons have their cell bodies located in the lateral horns of the spinal chord from T1 to L2

Question 9

What is a ganglion?

Answer 9

A ganglion is like a junction box where neurons meet and transmit messages from one to the other

Question 10

Where are sympathetic ganglia located?

Answer 10

1. Paravertebral ganglia - beside the vertebral column

2. Collateral ganglia - on the surface of major blood vessels also known as plexi

Question 11

Where are the Parasympathetic ganglia located?

Answer 11

Terminal ganglia are located on the surface of the target organ

Question 12

Where is the Sympathetic chain?

Answer 12

It’s the chain of paravertebral ganglia on each side of the spine. Although sympathetic fibres emerge from the spinal chord only between T1 and L2, the sympathetic chain extends:

• above T1 into the neck where there are 3 further ganglia on each side:
  1. Superior cervical sympathetic ganglion
  2. Middle cervical sympathetic ganglion
  3. Inferior cervical sympathetic ganglion
• below L2 where there are several lumbar and sacral ganglia and the two chains meet at the coccyx to form the ganglion impar.

Question 13

Where are the collateral ganglia located?

Answer 13

Collateral ganglia are located on the surface of major blood vessels, forming plexi. Ex: cardiac plexus, coeliac plexus, superior hypogastric plexus, pelvic plexus

Question 14

Which plexus is associated with which chakra?

Answer 14

Cardiac plexus with heart chakra
Coeliac plexus with solar plexus
Superior hypogastric plexus with root chakra
Pelvic plexus with root chakra

Question 15

Where are the terminal ganglia located?

Answer 15

On the surface of the target organ

Question 16

Do parasympathetic fibres travel with somatic nerves or separately?

Answer 16

Parasympathetic fibres travel with cranial nerves (III VII IX X) and sacral nerves S234

Question 17

Do sympathetic fibres travel with somatic nerves or separately?

Answer 17

Axons emerge from the spinal chord together with the somatic motor fibres (T1-L2)
They then diverge from the somatic fibres and take a short detour into the paravertebral ganglia of the sympathetic chain
Some of them will rejoin the somatic fibres to reach the periphery
Others travel independently of the somatic fibres

Question 18

Which peripheral nerves carry sympathetic fibres?

Answer 18

Although sympathetic neurons emerge from the spinal chord only between T1-L2, almost every peripheral nerve to every part of the body also has sympathetic fibres travelling with it

Question 19

Which peripheral nerves carry parasympathetic fibres?

Answer 19

Cranial nerve III VII IX X

Sacral nerves S234

Question 20

Describe the extent of the sympathetic chain

Answer 20

It extends from the neck, where the superior, middle and inferior cervical sympathetic ganglia are located, down to the coccyx where the two paravertebral chains meet to form the ganglion impar.

Question 21

Where is the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion?

Answer 21

It’s located in the neck, between C2 and C3

Question 22

Where is the ganglion impar?

Answer 22

It’s located at the coccyx

Question 23

Are collateral ganglia sympathetic or parasympathetic?

Answer 23

Always sympathetic

Question 24

What is the name for an aggregation of sympathetic ganglia? Name four examples

Answer 24

They are called plexi. Examples of plexi are:
Cardiac plexus
Coeliac plexus
Superior hypogastric plexus
Pelvic plexus

Question 25

What are the specific functions of parasympathetic nerve supply in the eyes?

Answer 25

``` Pupil constriction (via the iris muscle) Lens accommodation (via the ciliary muscle) ```

Question 26

What are the specific functions of parasympathetic nerve supply in the face?

Answer 26

Parasympathetic fibres travel with the VII cranial nerve supplying the glands of head and face and regulating: Lacrimal glands Nasal glands Submandibular and Sublingual glands And with the IX cranial nerve regulating the secretion of saliva

Question 27

What are the specific functions of parasympathetic nerve supply in the heart?

Answer 27

Constriction of the coronary blood vessels | Decrease heart rate

Question 28

What are the specific functions of parasympathetic nerve supply in the digestive system?

Answer 28

Peristalsis Glandular secretion Sphincter relaxation

Question 29

What are the specific functions of parasympathetic nerve supply in the genitalia?

Answer 29

Erection and vasodilation

Question 30

What is meant by fight/flight/fright response? Is it sympathetic or parasympathetic?

Answer 30

``` It’s the sympathetic response to an environmental stress that causes: Temperature regulation through vasoconstriction Pupil dilation Raising of the upper eyelid Sweat gland secretion Vasodilation in the muscles Increase of rate and strength of the heart muscle Dilation of coronary vessels Dilation of bronchi Secretion of Adrenalin Shut down of the digestive system Contraction of the sphincters ```

Question 31

What are the specific functions of sympathetic nerve supply in the eyes?

Answer 31

Pupil dilation | Raising of the upper eyelid

Question 32

What are the specific functions of sympathetic nerve supply in the skin?

Answer 32

Vasoconstriction Temperature regulation Contraction of pilo erector muscles Sweat gland secretion

Question 33

What are the specific functions of sympathetic nerve supply in the somatic muscles?

Answer 33

Vasodilation to promote muscle activity

Question 34

What are the specific functions of sympathetic nerve supply in the heart?

Answer 34

Dilate coronary vessels to increment the flow of blood in the heart muscle Increase rate and strength of the heart muscle

Question 35

What are the specific functions of sympathetic nerve supply in the lungs?

Answer 35

Dilate the bronchi and increase the flow of oxygen in the blood

Question 36

What are the specific functions of sympathetic nerve supply in the digestive system?

Answer 36

Shut down the digestive system | Contract the sphincters

Question 37

What are the specific functions of sympathetic nerve supply in the adrenal glands?

Answer 37

Increase the production and release of Adrenalin

Question 38

What is meant by dynamic balance (homeostasis)?

Answer 38

It’s the harmonious work of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems which tend to work by balancing each other with opposing functions constantly changing according to the situation and the need of the moment thereby creating a dynamic balance

Question 39

Which division of the ANS primarily prepares the body for action?

Answer 39

The sympathetic nervous system has primarily catabolic function

Question 40

Which division of the ANS primarily builds up resources?

Answer 40

The parasympathetic system has primarily anabolic function

Question 41

Why does stress affect the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 41

Because it - Perpetuates in time a temporary response - Creates conflict between the two main divisions of the ANS allowing the -Sympathetic system to override the parasympathetic and in this way affecting the functioning of the body at different levels

Question 42

Why does stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system affect the functioning of the body?

Answer 42

Because the sympathetic nervous system is primarily concerned with preparing the body for action, for fight or flight: - increasing blood supply to the muscles - increasing heart rate and strength - increasing production of Adrenalin - increasing response to danger, emergency or stress In the long term this dysfunction may manifest: -in the organs (indigestion, ulcer, asthma, irritable bowel ...) -in the nerves (overstimulation affecting potentially all body systems) In and around vertebral levels associated with the entry or exit of nerves - in the muscles of the back surrounding associated vertebral levels - in the CNS - in the psycho emotional state (agitation, anxiety, irritability, axhaustion).

Question 43

What physical disturbances could stimulate the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 43

``` Visceral pathologies Vertebral restrictions Injuries Infections with symptoms localized or generalized , and also reflected or referred to other structures or parts of the body (ex: facilitated segment) ```

Question 44

Identify the spinal origin of the sympathetic supply to the head

Answer 44

T1-T2

Question 45

Identify the spinal origin of the sympathetic supply to the thoracic viscera

Answer 45

T1-T5 Heart | T2-T6 Respiratory tract - thoracic viscera

Question 46

Identify the spinal origin of the sympathetic supply to the abdominal viscera

Answer 46

T6-T10 Abdominal viscera: stomach liver gall bladder pancreas spleen T8-T11 Small intestine T10-L2 Large intestine

Question 47

Identify the spinal origin of the sympathetic supply to the pelvic viscera

Answer 47

T10-L2 Pelvic viscera: Adrenals, Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder, Genitalia

Question 48

Which vertebral level would you associate with the eyes?

Answer 48

T1-T2

Question 49

Which vertebral level would you associate with the lungs?

Answer 49

T2-T6

Question 50

Which vertebral level would you associate with the duodenum?

Answer 50

T6-T10

Question 51

Which vertebral level would you associate with the ileo-caecal valve?

Answer 51

T10-T12

Question 52

Which vertebral level would you associate with the bladder?

Answer 52

T10-L2