22. Cranial Nerves π§ Flashcards
Which limb of the autonomic nervous system has more of an effect on the Liver?
Sympathetic β causes hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis
Which limb of the autonomic nervous system dominates the lungs and the eyes at rest?
Parasympathetic Lungs β causes partial bronchoconstriction Eyes β allows near vision
Describe the relationship between baroreceptor firing and parasympathetic discharge.
Baroreceptors are stimulatory to the parasympathetic nerves i.e. an increase in baroreceptor firing stimulates an increase in parasympathetic firing
Describe the differences between sympathetic responses and parasympathetic responses.
Sympathetic β coordinated and divergent Parasympathetic β discrete and localised
What type of receptor are nicotinic receptors?
Type 1 β ionotropic receptors They are VERY fast
What type of receptor are muscarinic receptors?
Type 2 β G-protein coupled receptors Slower than Type 1 receptors
Describe the difference in the transmission through nicotinic and muscarinic receptors.
Nicotinic is much faster
What effect does parasympathetic dominance at rest have on the: lungs, gut, bladder and eyes?
Lungs β partial bronchoconstriction Gut β increased gut motility Bladder β increased urinary frequency Eyes β short-sightedness
Why would giving a ganglion blocker at rest cause constipation?
At rest the parasympathetic nervous system is dominant, which increases gastric motility. This means that a ganglion blocker will knock out this effect and cause constipation.
Where are the three types of muscarinic receptor found?
M1 β neural tissue M2 β heart M3 β exocrine and smooth muscle
Which adrenergic receptors are responsible for the sympathetic control of vasculature?
Alpha 1 β constriction Beta 2 β dilation
What type of receptor are all adrenergic receptors?
G-protein coupled
Describe the synthesis of acetylcholine.
It is formed from acetyl CoA and choline by choline acetyltransferase It is broken down by acetyl cholinesterase
Describe the synthesis of Noradrenaline.
Tyrosine -> DOPA (enzyme: tyrosine hydroxylase) DOPA -> dopamine (enzyme: DOPA decarboxylase) Dopamine -> Noradrenaline (enzyme: dopamine beta-hydroxylase) This last step takes place in a vesicle
What are the two uptake and breakdown mechanisms of noradrenaline?
Uptake 1 β neuronal tissue β mainly Monoamine Oxidase breakdown (MAO) Uptake 2 β extraneuronal tissue β mainly Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase (COMT)
Describe how the sympathetic nervous system exerts control over the trachea and bronchi.
The trachea and bronchi have no sympathetic nerve fibres. They are affected by the release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla.
Describe the response of blood vessels to skeletal muscle during a period of increased sympathetic discharge. What causes this response?
Blood vessels supplying the skeletal muscle dilate. This is caused by circulating catecholamines.
Describe the role of the adrenal medulla in the sympathetic nervous system.
Adrenal medulla is innervated by sympathetic pre-ganglionic nerve fibres, which release acetyl choline that binds to the nicotinic acetyl choline receptors and causes release of catecholamines from the chromaffine cells.
What is special about the sympathetic innervation of the sweat glands?
The sympathetic nerves to the sweat glands release acetylcholine instead of noradrenaline.
What are the two outflows of the parasympathetic nervous system?
Craniosacral
State the four cranial nerves that form part of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Oculomotor - 3 Facial - 7 Glossopharyngeal - 9 Vagus β 10
Which parasympathetic nerves come out of the sacral region?
Pelvic spanchnic nerves
Describe the outflow of the sympathetic nervous system. State the vertebral levels that define the limits of this outflow.
Thoracolumbar (T1 - L2)
Describe the relative lengths of sympathetic and parasympathetic pre-ganglionic fibres.
Sympathetic nerves have a short preganglionic and a long post ganglionic Parasympathetic has a long preganglionic and a short post ganglionic
Describe the effect of the SNS on the heart.
The SNS has an inotropic (increase force of contraction) and chronotropic (increase heart rate) effect
Describe the effect of increased sympathetic firing on the blood vessels.
Increased sympathetic firing causes constriction of most blood vessels (except those supplying the skeletal muscle, which dilate)
How does the SNS affect arterial blood pressure?
SNS increase cardiac output via the chronotropic and inotropic effects and it increases TPR by causing vasoconstriction so it increases blood pressure
What can cause vasodilation in various tissues?
Vasodilation can be caused by local mediators such as nitric oxide and histamines Vasodilation in the penis is caused by increased parasympathetic stimulation Vasodilation in the blood vessels supplying skeletal muscle is due to increased sympathetic activity (by circulating catecholamines)
Describe how the SNS affects the GI tract.
SNS decreases gut motility and tone SNS stimulates contraction of sphincter SNS generally inhibits secretory activity
Describe the effects of increased sympathetic activity on the lungs and airways.
Increased sympathetic activity dilates the airways