Autonomic Nervous System

Question 1

The Nervous System consists of

Answer 1

• Central nervous system (brain and spinal
  cord)
• Peripheral nervous system

Question 2

The peripheral nervous system is
divided into two main parts

Answer 2

• Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
• Somatic nervous system (SNS)

Question 3

Somatic nervous system (SNS)

Answer 3

Controls
mainly voluntary muscle movement and
relays information from ears, eyes and
skin to the central nervous system

Question 4

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

Answer 4

Controls involuntary bodily functions and
regulates glands

Question 5

General Properties of the Autonomic Nervous
System

Answer 5

Helps body respond to stress
* Controls glands, cardiac and smooth
muscle
– This is called the visceral motor system
* Regulates unconscious processes that
maintain homeostasis
– blood pressure, body temperature,
respiratory airflow
* ANS carries out its actions without our
intent (Automatically)

Question 6

2 divisions of the autonomic nervous system

Answer 6

parasympathetic and sympathetic division; Most organs receive input from both divisions.
Two divisions may have cooperative or contrasting effects

Question 7

Sympathetic division

Answer 7

Prepares body for “fight or flight” situations
* Most active under energy-requiring, stressful, emergency situations

Question 8

Parasympathetic division

Answer 8

Prepares body for “rest and digest” activities
* Most active under resting, non-stressful conditions

Question 9

Sympathetic division

Answer 9

prepares body for
physical activity
– increases heart rate, BP, airflow, blood glucose
levels, etc
– Fight or Flight

Question 10

Parasympathetic division

Answer 10

has calming affect
on many body functions & assists in bodily
maintenance
– digestion and waste elimination
– Rest and Digest

Question 11

Autonomic tone

Answer 11

is the normal rate of activity
that represents the balance of the two (2)
systems.
– Effects of each system depend upon
neurotransmitters released at the select receptors.

Question 12

Sympathetic preganglionic nerves emanate from

Answer 12

the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord
(Thoracolumbar)

Question 13

Parasympathetic preganglionic nerves emanate
from

Answer 13

the cranial region and sacral region of the spinal
cord (Craniosacral)

Question 14

Arrangement of Nerves
in the ANS: Preganglionic Neurons

Answer 14

The nerves (neurons) in the ANS consist of pairs of
nerves (pairs form a synapse) relaying signals to organs
* One nerve resides in the spinal cord and extends its
axon (synapses with) to the cell body of a neuron
located outside the spinal cord.
* The nerve outside the spinal cord directly innervates
the organs

Question 15

preganglionic neurons or fibers

Answer 15

Neurons emanating from the spinal cord; nerve that resides in the spinal cord; also a “presynaptic neuron”

Question 16

post-ganglionic neuron or fiber

Answer 16

neuron located outside of the spinal cord that the preganglionic neuron or fiber connects to; also a “postsynaptic
neuron”; directly innervates the organs

Question 17

neural ganglion
or ganglia

Answer 17

Groups of neuronal cell bodies are called neural ganglion
or ganglia hence the reference to pre or post-ganglion; cell bodies of post-ganglionic neurons are grouped
together outside the spinal cord