Autonomic nervous system anatomy

Question 1

What types of neurons make up the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 1

Efferent neurons

Question 2

What three cell types do the efferent neurons of the ANS control

Answer 2

1. Smooth muscle cells
2. Cardiac muscle cells
3. Gland cells

Question 3

Why autonomic

Answer 3

Autonomous without conscious

Question 4

Divisions of the ANS

Answer 4

SNS

PSNS

Question 5

From which parts of the CNS do SNS pre-ganglionic neurons arise?

Answer 5

Thoracolumbar spinal cord

Question 6

From which part of the CNS do PSNS preganglionic neurons arise?

Answer 6

Brainstem cranial nerve nuclei
OR
Autonomic columns of the sacral spinal cord

Question 7

How do the pre-ganglionic and post-ganglionic fibre lengths compare between the SNS and the PSNS

Answer 7

SNS - short pre-ganglionic fibres and long postganglionic fibers –> hence the formation the the paravertebral sympathetic chain.

PSNS - long pre-ganglionic fibers and short post ganglionic fibers –> ganglia located near effect site.

Question 8

What is Horner’s Syndrome and how is it relevant to anaesthesiology

Answer 8

Enophthalmos
Ptosis
Miosis

Interruption of the sympathetic pathway
High spread of epidural block used for C/S