1 ANS Intro Flashcards

1
Q

The peripheral nervous system is divided into what two major subdivisions?

A

Autonomic and Somatic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

The _______ division is independent of conscious thought or control

A

Autonomic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Autonomic pathways originate in the:

A

Brain or Spinal Cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Autonomic pathways involve a __________ nerve and a ___________ nerve, connected in series by a ___________.

A

A PREGANGLIONIC nerve and POSTGANGLIONIC nerve connected by a GANGLION

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

In the __________ system, there is no peripheral ganglia.

A

Somatic nervous system

A single motor neuron projects from the CNS directly to the skeletal muscle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

The ANS is subdivided into:

A

The PARASYMPATHETIC, or craniosacral division, and

the SYMPATHETIC, or thoracolumbar division

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

The parasympathetic nerves leave the spinal cord with…

A

With the cranial and sacral nerves (hence the “craniosacral” name)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

The sympathetic pathways leave the CNS…

A

From the spinal cord at thoracic and lumbar levels (hence the “thoracolumbar” name)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

ANS fibers leaving the brain stem or spinal cord terminate in ___________.

A

Autonomic ganglia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Autonomic ganglia contain the nerve endings of ____________ fibers and the cell bodies of __________ fibers.

A

Pre-ganglionic, post-ganglionic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

All pre-ganglionic fibers release the neurotransmitter ____________ onto ____________ receptors in the autonomic ganglia.

A

Acetylcholine, nicotinic receptors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Describe the pathway of parasympathetic innervation

A

Pre-ganglionic fibers leave the CNS with the CRANIAL nerves and the third and fourth SACRAL spinal roots.

The pre-ganglionic fibers may terminate on ganglia located in the wall of an innervated organ, on diffuse ganglia, or on autonomic ganglia outside the innervated organ.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Postganglionic parasympathic fibers are very ______ compared to those in the sympathetic system.

A

Short

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Both pre- and post-ganglionic neurons in the parasympathetic system release ….

A

Acetylcholine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Describe the pathway of sympathetic innervation

A

Pre-ganglionic fibers leave the CNS with THORACIC and LUMBAR spinal nerves. Cell bodies are in the LATERAL horn of the gray matter in the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord.

Most of the pre-ganglionic fibers terminate in ganglia in the PARAVERTEBRAL chains, which run alongside the spinal column.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Broad interconnections provided by the paravertebral chains allow the whole sympathetic system to …

A

Activate in a coordinated discharge

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Post-ganglionic sympathetic fibers project to various tissues and are ________ than those in the parasympathetic system.

A

Longer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

The majority of post-ganglionic fibers release _________, except for ….

A

Most release norepinephrine (NE) except:

Sweat glands release acetylcholine (ACh)
Renal vasculature releases dopamine
Adrenal medulla releases epinephrine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

The main neurotransmitters involved in the autonomic nervous system:

A

Acetylcholine (ACh), norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

All pre-ganglionic fibers of both the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems are _________.

A

Cholinergic, i.e. they release ACh, which acts on nicotinic receptors in the ganglion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Post-ganglionic fibers of the parasympathetic system are _____________, releasing _________, which acts on ___________ receptors.

A

Cholinergic —> release ACh —> act on muscarinic receptors.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Post-ganglionic fibers in the sympathetic system are primarily ______________, and release ______, which acts on ____________ receptors

A

Noradrenergic —> release NE —> acts on alpha and beta receptors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

The sympathetic post-ganglionic innervation of ___________ is cholinergic, with ACh stimulating muscarinic receptors, even though these neurons are considered sympathetic.

A

Sweat glands

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Sympathetic neurons to the _____________ release dopamine

A

Renal vascular smooth muscle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Innervation to the adrenal medulla from the spinal cord is ___________, with ______ acting on a __________ receptor to cause release of _____________.

A

Cholinergic —> ACh acts on nicotinic receptor —> releases Epinephrine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

____________ released from the adrenal medulla circulates in the body and acts on both alpha and beta receptors.

A

Epinephrine (Epi)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Motor neurons to the skeletal muscle are ____________, with ________ acting on ________ receptors

A

Cholinergic —> ACh acts on nicotinic receptors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Blood vessels receive _________ innervation but not __________.

A

Sympathetic but not parasympathetic.

Blood vessel tone is predominantly sympathetic.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

The _____________ are innervated by neurons from the sympathetic chain that release _________.

A

Sweat glands, ACh

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

The parasympathetic system has been called __________, meaning it facilitates growth

A

Trophotropic

It’s the “rest and digest” system.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Parasympathetic stimulation causes:

A

Slowing of the heart
Increased secretion of saliva and gastric acid
Increased GI activity, promoting digestion
Relaxation of sphincters, promoting elimination
Pupils and ciliary muscles both contract —> accommodation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

The sympathetic system is designed so that it can…

A

Fire all at once

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

In the sympathetic system, there is a nearly ______ ratio of pre- to post-ganglionic innervation

A

1:20 —> allowing for massive activation of the whole system at once.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

The sympathetic system is referred to as ________, meaning facilitating energy expenditure.

A

Ergotropic - it allows for “fight or flight”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Sympathetic stimulation causes:

A

Heart to beat more rapidly and CO increases

Blood vessels supplying skeletal muscles relax, allowing for more blood flow to muscles

Blood vessels to the skin constrict, reducing bleeding in response to energy

Bronchioles dilate, allowing for easier breathing

GI system less active, sphincters contract

Pupils dilate, ciliary muscles relax (distance vision)

Glycogenolysis and gluconeogensis are stimulated, lipolysis occurs and renin released from kidney

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Acetylcholine is formed from …

A

Cholinergic and acetyl CoA by the enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

ACh is stored in _______ within the nerve terminal

A

Synaptic vesicles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

The action of ACh within the synaptic cleft is rapidly terminated via …

A

Hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which converts ACh back into choline and acetate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

What happens to choline after ACh is broken down by AChE?

A

It is taken back up into the nerve terminals and recycled back into ACh.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Besides AChE, what else can affect circulating ACh?

A

Pseudo holiness erase can also inactivate circulating ACh

41
Q

ACh binds to _______ receptors, which are located either on the postsynaptic cell or on presynaptic terminals

A

Cholinergic

42
Q

What are the two subgroups of cholinergic receptors?

A

Muscarinic and nicotinic

43
Q

M1 muscarinic receptors are found…

A

In the CNS and in sweat glands

Gq protein linked —> activate phospholipids C —> IP3 and DAG —> Ca2+ release and activation of protein kinases

44
Q

M2 muscarinic receptors are found

A

In the heart, some smooth muscle, and presynaptically on neurons

Gi protein linked, INHIBIT adenylyl cyclase, open K+ channels, hyperpolarizing neurons

45
Q

M3 muscarinic receptors are found…

A

In exocrine glands, smooth muscle, and endothelium

Gq protein linked, same mechanism as M1

46
Q

What are the two kinds of nicotinic receptors?

A

Nn are found on postganglionic neurons and presynaptic terminals

Nm are found at NMJs of skeletal muscles

For both, binding of ACh opens Na+ channels, depolarizing the cell

47
Q

Parasympathetic innervation of the heart

A

The vagus nerve projects to the atrium of the heart

M2 receptors slow the heart by decreasing SA node activity, AV conduction, directly and by inhibiting release of NE from incoming sympathetic neurons

48
Q

Parasympathetic innervation of the lungs

A

M2 receptors cause bronchoconstriction and increase mucous secretion in the lungs

49
Q

Secretions from the salivary and lacrimal glands are increased by both _____ and _____ receptor activation

A

M1 and M3 (parasympathetic)

50
Q

M3 receptors cause _______ and ________ in the eye

A

Mitosis (constricting pupil)

Accommodation of the lends for near vision

51
Q

In the stomach, M3 receptor activation increases…

A

Gastric acid secretion

52
Q

M3 receptors stimulate the GI tract by

A

Stimulating the GI tract wall, increasing motility

Relaxing the sphincters, allowing for defecation

Contract the bladder wall, increasing the urge to urinate, as well as relaxing the base of the bladder and urinary sphincter

53
Q

In men, M3 receptors do what to the penis?

A

Promote erection

“Point”

54
Q

How do the nicotinic receptors at NMJs differ from the muscarinic/nicotinic receptors of the parasympathetic system?

A

The nicotinic receptor is an ion channel, and which ACh binds, it opens, allowing Na+ to enter the cell, resulting in depolarization, leading to an action potential (some K+ also leaves the cell)

55
Q

______ is hydroxylated to become I-dopa, which is then decarboxylated to dopamine (DA)

A

Tyrosine

56
Q

DA is a neurotransmitter on its own, but what else can happen to it?

A

In noradrenergic neurons, DA is hydroxylated to form NE in the synaptic vesicles

NE is converted to epinephrine in the adrenal medulla.

57
Q

NE is stored in vesicles and released when?

A

When the cell depolarizers, the vesicles fuses with the presynaptic membrane and NE is released

58
Q

Drugs such as _______ and ______ cause release of NE from the pre-synaptic terminal and will have effect only if noradrenergic terminals are intact

A

Tyramine and amphetamine

59
Q

What is the main mechanism for the termination of action of NE in the synaptic cleft?

A

Reputable into the presynaptic terminal

60
Q

Reputable of NE into the presynaptic terminal is blocked by drugs such as …

A

Antidepressants and cocaine

61
Q

NE is metabolized by what two enzymes?

A

monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-0-methyl transferase (COMT)

The end product, measured as a diagnostic marker, is vanilla-Mandela’s acid (VMA)

62
Q

Alpha1 receptors are found in….

A

Smooth muscle

Gq protein linked —> activation of PLC increases IP3 and DAG —> Ca2+ increases and cell depolarizes

63
Q

Alpha2 receptors are found …

A

On presynaptic terminals, in platelets, lipocytes, and some smooth muscle

Gi protein linked, inhibits adenylyl cyclase

64
Q

Beta1 receptors are found

A

On many pre- and post-synaptic sites, most specifically in the HEART

65
Q

Beta2 receptors are found…

A

On some smooth mucscle, specially the bronchioles (and the heart)

66
Q

Beta3 receptors are found…

A

On lipocytes, causing lipolysis

In the urinary bladder, causing relaxation

67
Q

All beta receptors are _____ protein linked

A

Gs - stimulate adenylyl cyclase to increase cAMP

68
Q

Dopamine receptors are found in ….

A

Renal vascular bed and some blood vessels

Stimulate adenylate cyclase

69
Q

The “fight or flight” response of the sympathetic nervous system includes responses such as:

A

Increase in both heart rate and force of contraction
Dilation of blood vessels to heart and skeletal muscle
Constriction of blood vessels to skin and other areas
Dilation of bronchioles
Decrease in GI activity and constriction of GI and GU sphincters
Increases in lipolysis, glycogenolysis, and blood glucose
Increase in the release of renin
Dilation of pupils, with a slight increase in distance vision

70
Q

Sympathetic innervation to the heart

A

Beta1 (and some B2) receptors increase heart rate, AV conduction, and contractility

71
Q

Sympathetic innervation of the lungs

A

B2 receptors relax the bronchioles

72
Q

Sympathetic innervation of the blood vessels

A

alpha1 receptors constrict blood vessels in the skin and skeletal muscle

Beta2 receptors relax blood vessels in the skeletal muscle

73
Q

Sympathetic innervation of the glands and eyes

A

M3 receptors increase sweating (ACh)

Alpha1 receptors increase activity of apocrine and salivary glands

Alpha1 receptors cause dilation of pupils (mydriasis)

Alpha1 receptors cause constriction of nasal blood vessels, decreasing congestion

74
Q

Sympathetic innervation of GI and GU tracts

A

Alpha2 and Beta2 receptors relax the walls of the GI tract
B2 receptors relax the pregnant uterus
B3 receptors relax the urinary bladder
Alpha1 receptors contract the urinary sphincter, making it harder to urinate (esp men)
Alpha1 receptors promote ejaculation

75
Q

Presynaptic ____ receptors on noradrenergic nerve terminals decrease NE release

A

Alpha2

76
Q

Presynaptic ____ receptors on cholinergic nerve terminals decrease ACh release

A

M2

77
Q

Autoreceptors refer to…

A

when the presynaptic receptor is for the type of transmitter within the terminal

78
Q

Heteroreceptors refer to

A

when the presynaptic receptor is for other types of neurotransmitters other than the type within the terminal

79
Q

A decrease in receptor number (either through internalization or destruction) that occurs in response to repeated, high frequency stimulation.

A

Down regulation

80
Q

Receptors for a neurotransmitter increasing either in number or affinity in response to inhibition or removal of an input/stimulus

A

Up regulation

81
Q

An extreme example of up-regulation in which a total loss of input may cause a large increase in receptor number

A

Enervation supersensitivity

82
Q

If a drug increases BP by constricting the blood vessels, the body will attempt to compensate for the increased pressure by slowing heart rate and decreasing cardiac output. This is called…

A

Reflex bradycardia

83
Q

If a drug dilates blood vessels and drops blood pressure, the level of signal at the baroreceptrs is decreased and the brain will increase sympathetic output, so that the body can compensate by increasing heart rate. This is called…

A

Reflex tachycardia

84
Q

The net effect of NE on the heart is an increase in peripheral resistance (diastolic pressure), but some increase in BP is moderated to some degree by…

A

The decrease in heart rate due to vagal stimulation (reflex bradycardia)

85
Q

A blockage of ____ receptors with atropine will prevent…

A

The reflex bradycardia resulting from NE stimulation

86
Q

Contraction of the ciliary muscle and constriction of the pupil by __________ stimulation widens the space in the trabecular meshwork and allows aqueous humor to be cleared more easily

A

Parasympathetic stimulation

This decreases intraocular pressure

87
Q

Activation of ______ receptors by sympathetic stimulation also increases clearance of aqueous humor and decreases ocular pressure

A

Alpha

88
Q

Stimulation of ___________ increases production of aqueous humor, increasing intraocular pressure

A

Beta receptors

Therefore, a blockade of beta receptors is used to decrease intraocular pressure

89
Q

The size of the pupil is controlled by the …

A

Iris radial muscle and the circular muscle

90
Q

Contraction of the radial muscle in response to ______ stimulation _______ the pupil

A

Sympathetic —> dilates

91
Q

Contraction of the circular muscle in response to ________ stimulation causes the pupil to ________

A

Parasympathetic —> pupillary constriction

92
Q

Contraction of the ciliary muscle relaxes tension on the suspensory ligaments, allowing the lens to…

A

Become more convex and shift forward, increasing accommodation for near vision

93
Q

The iris circular and ciliary muscles are controlled by _________

A

Cholinergic inputs

Stimulation of muscarinic receptors contracts the iris sphincter and ciliary muscles —> miosis and increased accommodation for near vision

94
Q

If the ciliary muscle is blocked with cholinergic antagonists, what will happen?

A

Cycloplegia, or loss of accommodation

Pupil dilation

95
Q

___________ can be used to treat glaucoma. How?

A

Cholinergic agonists

Cholinergic stimulation increases removal of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork, decreasing intraocular pressure.

96
Q

Because the iris radial muscles contract in response to alpha receptor stimulation, alpha receptor agonists can cause

A

Mydriasis (dilation of the pupil)

97
Q

Alpha receptor agonists can also be used to treat glaucoma because…

A

Contraction of the radial muscle promotes drainage of intraocular fluid and can decrease pressure

98
Q

___________ increase production of aqueous humor, resulting in an increase in intraocular pressure

A

Beta receptors

Beta receptor blockers can also be used to treat glaucoma