ANS

Question 1

Name the 3 divisions of the ANS

Answer 1

1. Sympathetic
2. Parasympathetic
3. Enteric

Question 2

List the functions of the ANS

Answer 2

1. Maintain homeostasis
2. Emergency responses
3. Facilitate reproduction function

Question 3

Name the NTs used by the ANS

Answer 3

Sympathetic: ACh (pre-gang) and NE (post-gang)
Parasympathetic: ACh only (both pre-gang and post-gang)

Question 4

Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic axons innervating target organs:

Answer 4

Sympathetic: short pre-ganglionic, long post-ganglionic.
Parasympathetic: Long pre-ganglionic, short post-ganglionic.

Question 5

Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic origins:

Answer 5

SNS: T1-L2
PNS: CNs III, VII, IX, X, S2-S4

Question 6

PNS pathways:

Answer 6

1. Edinger-westphal nucleus gives rise to CNIII, synapse at Ciliary ganglia, innervate sphincter pupillae m.
2. Inferior salivatory nucleus gives rise to CN IX, synapse at Otic ganglia, innervate parotid gland.
3. Superior salivatory nucleus gives rise to CN VII, synapse at pterygopalatine ganglia (innervates lacrimal gland) and submandibular ganglia (innervates sublingual and submandibular glands).
4. Dorsal motor nucleus gives rise to CNX, synapse at myenteric and submucosal ganglia, innervate smooth mm and glands of GI tract.

COPS: 3977

Question 7

Describe vasovagal syncope:

Answer 7

Symptoms:

1. Muscle weakness
2. Warm sensation
3. Nausea
4. Sweating

Cause: Peripheral venous pooling causes withdrawal of sympathetic activity and increase in vagal activity, hypotension and syncope.

Question 8

Describe Horner’s syndrome:

Answer 8

Symptoms:

1. Ptosis
2. Miosis
3. Anhidrosis
4. Enophthalmos

Cause: Cervical sympathetic pathway from the hypothalamus is interrupted.

Question 9

Describe autonomic dysreflexia following spinal cord injury:

Answer 9

Symptoms:
Headache, HTN, bradycardia, piloerection, pallor.

Cause: SCI at T6 or above. Noxious stimulus results in activation of local reflexive sympathetic outflow producing widespread vasoconstriction and elevated BP.

Question 10

Inputs to PAG:

Answer 10

Cortical, pain, visceral afferents.

Question 11

PAG column organization:

Answer 11

Controllable threat: DL and L (Fight or flight response)

Non-controllable threat: VL (Passive coping)

Question 12

Micturition reflex involves:

Answer 12

Complex coordination across ANS.

Question 13

Dysautonomia symptoms:

Answer 13

Bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension