Anatomy of the ANS

Question 1

How would you define the autonomic nervous system?

Answer 1

Maintains homeostasis of internal environment
Involuntary control of the viscera and glands
Influences respiration, digestion, excretion, thermoregulation, cardiovascular activity
3 divisions: sympathetic, parasympathetic & enteric

Question 2

What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 2

Fight or flight

Question 3

What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 3

Rest and digest

Question 4

In the ANS, a sequence of how many neurons are there between the CNS and innervated structure

Answer 4

There are a sequence of 2 neurons between the CNS and the innervated structure
Exception:

Question 5

Which CNS structure provides high level regulation of autonomic activity

Answer 5

Hypothalamus
Part of the limbic system (emotional centre)
Responds to changes from internal and external environments
(slide 10, lecture 12)

Question 6

Sympathetic Nervous System

Where do neurons synapse?

Answer 6

Mainly within sympathetic chain (paravertebral ganglia)
Sphlanic nerves: coeliac superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric gangli (prevertebral)
NO synapse for adrenal (suprarenal) gland innervation

Question 7

SNS- Thoacolumbar outflow

Answer 7

Preganglionic fibres of the sympathetic system emerge from thoracic (T1-12) and upper lumbar (L1-2/3) spinal cord segments as spinal nerves

Question 8

Which structures does the sympathetic nervous system innervate?

Answer 8

Eye
Glands and mucous membranes within the head and neck
Thoracic, abdominal and pelvic viscera (internal organs)
Blood vessels, sweat glands, erector pili

Question 9

PNS

Where do the neurones synapse?

Answer 9

Found close to or even in the organ/ viscera they innervate

Ganglia (head and neck): ciliary pterygopalatine, submandibular, otic

Question 10

From what spinal segments do the preganglionic parasympathetic neurons emerge from?

Answer 10

Carniosacral outflow

Preganglionic fibres of the parasympathetic system emerge as cranial nerve and sacral spinal nerves (S2-S4)

Question 11

Which cranial nerves are associated with the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 11

Crania Nerves
III Oculomotor (ciliar)
VII Facial (pterygopalatine, submandibular)
IX Glossopharyngeal (otic)
X Vagus

Question 12

Which structures does the parasympathetic nervous system innervate?

Answer 12

Eye
Glands and mucous membranes within the head and neck
Thoracic, abdominal and pelvic viscera (internal organs)
NO innervation to adrenal (suprarenal) gland, BVs, sweat glands and erector pili

Question 13

Why does the anatomy of the symp. and parasymp. NS differ

Answer 13

Sympathetic: mass response, mobilises body energy for increased activity
Parasympathetic: discrete/ localised, conserves body energy

Question 14

Name the structures

slide 26-28, lecture 12

Answer 14

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