Lecture 8 - The ANS and The Lungs Flashcards
(16 cards)
How is bronchodilation caused?
Beta 2 adrenoceptors respond to circulating catecholamines
How does the ANS control the bronchioles?
They receive only parasympathetic innervation which can result in bronchoconstriction.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Tight chest
Difficulty breathing
Poor response to exercise
What causes asthma?
Allergy and local inflammation causes the production if inflammatory mediators which causes bronchospasm
What are the treatments for asthma?
Becotide/flixotide inhaler for prophylaxis
Salbutamol inhaler for more acute therapy
How does salbutamol treat asthma?
It is a beta 2 adrenoceptor agonist which causes bronchodilation
How does becotide/flixotide inhaler treat asthma?
It reduces the inflammatory mediators
Where is the adrenal gland located?
On top of the kidneys
What does the adrenal medulla secrete?
Steroid hormones and catecholamines
What is PNMT?
Phenylathanolamine N-methyl transferase which converts noradrenaline to adrenaline and it is only present in chromaffin cells
What are the two regions the adrenal gland is composed of?
The adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla
What does the adrenal cortex do?
It synthesises and releases cortisol and aldosterone
What does cortisol do?
It is a glucocorticord involved in stress responses
What does aldosterone do?
It regulates salt balance
What does the adrenal medulla do?
It synthesises catecholamines
What are catecholamines?
Adrenaline or noradrenaline
