ANS Flashcards
Homeostasis:
Maintaining a stable internal environment within a narrow physiological range amid changing external conditions
Inputs to preganglionic neurons:
- Nucleus of the solitary tract (in medulla): conveys visceral sensory input
- Other brainstem nuclei: convey environmental stimuli
- Hypothalamus (in forebrain): conveys internal goals/states
The ANS consists of 3 subdivisions
- sympathetic (flight or fight)
- parasymp (rest/digest)
- enteric (semi autonomous control of digestion)
Preganglionic: neurotransmitter:
Acetylcholine (ACh)
Postganglionic:
Sympathetic: neurotransmitter
Norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine
Postganglionic Parasympathetic: neurotransmitter
ACh
Neurotransmitter Receptors:
ACh:
nicotinic vs. muscarinic
Neurotransmitter Receptors:
NE:
α- and β-adrenergic
Adrenal medulla – functionally, a sympathetic ganglion
- Innervated by preganglionic sympathetic neurons
- Releases norepinephrine and epinephrine into bloodstream
- Widespread sympathomimetic effects (e.g., increased heart rate)
Cardiovascular regulation by the nervous system
- Sympathetic and parasympathetic control of heart rate and force of contraction
- Baroreceptor reflex
- Humoral response to low blood pressure
ANS regulation of heart rate and force of contraction
- sympathetic stimulation
2. parasympathetic stimulation
ANS sympathetic stim
(via increased NE) –
- increases blood pressure
- Increase in heart rate and contractile force
- Constriction of blood vessels
ANS parasympathetic stimulation
(via increased ACh) –
- decreases blood pressure
- Decrease in heart rate and
- decreases contractile force
Physiological significance of receptor subtypes
- Sympathomimetic drugs
2. Parasympathomimetic drugs
Sympathomimetic drugs function to
mimic sympathetic activation