Chapter 10 Flashcards
(101 cards)
the autonomic nervous
the portion of the peripheral nervous system that conveys output to (visceral organs) cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands
autonomic motor neurons regulate visceral activities by
either increasing (exciting) or decreasing (inhibiting) ongoing activities in their effectors
the autonomic nervous system is composed of three branches
- sympathetic branches
- parasympathetic branch
- enteric branch
most organs receive
dual innervation (sympathetic and parasympathetic)
dual innervation
innervation of most of the body by both sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons
enteric innervates the
gastrointestinal tract (digestive system auto innervation)
autonomic motor pathway
comprised of two autonomic motor neurons and a visceral effector
parasympathetic:
ACh–>ACh
sympathetic
ACh–>NE
parasympathetic nervous system
- spinal cord: the journey beings in the CNS, where parasympathetic signals originate in the spinal cord and brain stem
- preganglionic neurons: these signals are carries by the parasympathetic preganglionic neurons, which travel out of the spinal cord
- autonomic ganglion: the preganglionic neurons release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) at the autonomic ganglia, a kind of relay station in the pathway
- postganglionic neurons: at the ganglion, the signal is picked up by parasympathetic postganglionic neurons, which then extends to various target organs
- effectors: these postganglionic neurons release acetylcholine (ACh) again, which acts on effectors such as smooth muscles, cardiac muscles, and glands, leading to responses like slowed heart rate, stimulated digestion, and increased gland secretion
sympathetic nervous system
- Spinal cord: The journey begins in the central nervous system (CNS) where sympathetic signals originate in the spinal cord, specifically in the thoracolumbar region (T1 to L2).
- Preganglionic neurons: These signals are carried by the sympathetic preganglionic neurons, which exit the spinal cord through the ventral root.
- Autonomic ganglion: The preganglionic neurons travel to the sympathetic ganglia, which are located near the spinal cord. There are two types of ganglia: paravertebral ganglia (forming the sympathetic chain) and prevertebral ganglia (located closer to the target organs). Here, the preganglionic neurons release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh).
- Postganglionic neurons: The signal is picked up by sympathetic postganglionic neurons within the ganglia. These neurons then extend to various target organs throughout the body.
- Effectors: The postganglionic neurons release norepinephrine (NE) (in most cases) at the target organs, which acts on effectors such as smooth muscles, cardiac muscles, and glands. This leads to responses like increased heart rate, dilated pupils, bronchodilation, and inhibited digestion.
preganglionic neuron
the first neuron that has its cell body in the brain or spinal cord
autonomic ganglion
a cluster of cell bodies of sympathetic or parasympathetic neurons located in the peripheral nervous system
postganglionic neuron
the second autonomic motor neuron in an autonomic pathway, having its cell body and dendrites located in an autonomic ganglion and its axon extending to cardiac muscle, smooth muscle or gland
the parasympathetic nervous system originates in
the brain stem and sacral region of the spinal cord
the sympathetic nervous system originates in
the thoracic and lumbar region of the spinal cord
the parasympathetic nervous system is also known as
craniosacral division of the ANS
parasympathetic preganglionic axons exit the CNS through
four cranial nerves (III, VII, IX, and X) and several sacral spinal nerves (S2-S4)
the parasympathetic preganglionic axons then extend to parasympathetic postganglionic neurons in terminal ganglia, which are located
close to or within the wall of the visceral effector
from the terminal ganglia, parasympathetic postganglionic axons extend to
cels in the visceral organ
because terminal ganglia are located either close to or in the wall of the visceral effector,
parasympathetic preganglionic axons are long and postganglionic axons are short
in the sympathetic nervous system, preganglionic neurons have their cell bodies in
the thoracic and upper lumbar regions of the spinal cord
the sympathetic nervous system is also called the
thoracolumbar division of the ANS
sympathetic preganglionic axons exit the CNS through the
thoracic and lumbar spinal nerves