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Neuro > ANS > Flashcards

ANS Flashcards

1
Q

What is the function of the ANS?

A

Homeostasis
• Maintenance of steady state environment for internal organs and body tissues

  • Influences smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, secretory glands and visceral targets
  • Regulates:
  • Vasculature
  • Circulation
  • Respiration
  • Digestion
  • Body temperature
  • Reproduction
  • Secretions
  • Metabolism
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2
Q

What is the difference between the ANS and Somatic?

A

Similarities

  • Visceral SENSORY or ASCENDING pathways
  • SENSORY AFFERENTS
  • Visceral REFLEX ARCS
  • Ex. Gut Peristalsis
  • DESCENDING MOTOR

PATHWAYS

• MOTOR EFFERENTS

Differences

Somatic NS

  • Direct Efferent to Target
  • LMN to Skeletal Muscle

Autonomic NS

  • Two Neuron Chain Efferent to Target
  • Preganglionic Neurons and Postganglionic Neurons to Target Organs
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3
Q

What are the autonomic reflexes? 3

A

Reflexes are crucial for and assist with physiological functions

  • Baroreceptor reflex
  • Micturition reflex
  • Body temperature regulation
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4
Q

What is the sympathetic NS and where are its neurons?

A

Sympathetic NS

  • AKA Thoracolumbar Division
  • Cell bodies of Preganglionic Sympathetic Neurons located in…
  • Interomedial Lateral Horn of Thoracic and Lumbar Gray Matter of Spinal Cord (T1-L2 spinal cord segments)
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5
Q

What is the parasympathetic NS and where are its neurons?

A

Parasympathetic NS

  • AKA Craniosacral Division
  • Cell bodies of Preganglionic Parasympathetic Neurons located in…
• Brainstem Medulla:
CN III (Oculomotor), VII (Facial), IX (Glossopharyngeal), X (Vagus)) or Sacral Gray Matter of Spinal Cord (S2,3,4 spinal cord segments)
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6
Q

What is pathway 1 for the SNS?

A

SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Cell Bodies of Preganglionic Sympathetic Neurons exit Ventral Horn of Spinal Cord via White Ramus to…

Pathway 1:

• Sympathetic Chain Ganglia AKA Paravertebral Ganglia AKA Sympathetic Trunk

  • Synapse with…
  • Postganglionic Sympathetic Neurons
  • Exits Gray Ramus to Target Organs • Thoracolumbar Outflow: T1-L2 levels
  • Innervate adrenal medulla, vasculature, sweat glands & viscera
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7
Q

What is pathway 2 for SNS?

A

SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Cell Bodies of Preganglionic Sympathetic Neurons exit Ventral Horn of Spinal Cord via White Ramus to…

Pathway 2:

  • Three Collateral Ganglia AKA Prevertebral Ganglia
    • Celiac Ganglia
    • Superior Mesenteric Ganglia
    • Inferior Mesenteric Ganglia
  • Synapse with…
  • Postganglionic Sympathetic Neurons to Target Organs • Innervate digestive, urinary and reproductive systems
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8
Q

What is the PNS pathway?

A

Parasympathetic Nervous System

  • Cell Bodies of Preganglionic Parasympathetic Neurons exit Brainstem and Sacral Spinal Cord to Terminal Ganglion (long distance)
  • Postganglionic Parasympathetic Neurons travel from Terminal Ganglion on to Target Organ
  • CN III, VII, IX & X: Innervate pupil, salivary glands, and viscera
  • Sacral Region: Innervate via pelvic splanchnic nerve for regulation of digestive, urinary and reproductive systems
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9
Q

SNS and PNS

A

See pic

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10
Q

What are the major neurotransmitters for the ANS? Where are they or are not found?

A

ANS Neurotransmitters: Acetylcholine (Ach), Norepinephrine and Noradrenaline

  • Cholinergic: (Ach)​
    • Preganglionic Sympathetic Neurons and Preganglionic Parasympathetic Neurons both release Ach
    • Postganglionic Parasympathetic Neurons release Ach
  • Adrenergic: Norepinephrine and Noradrenaline
    • Postganglionic Sympathetic Neurons release Norepinephrine and Noradrenaline
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11
Q

What is the Ventricular System?

A
  • Lateral Ventricles (2): which are
    • C-Shaped and comprised of Three Horns:
      • Anterior or Frontal Horns
      • Inferior or Temporal Horns
      • Posterior or Occipital Horns
    • Body located in Frontal and Parietal Lobes
    • One in each Cerebral Hemisphere
  • Connected to Interventricular Foramen AKA Foramina of Monro
  • Connected to Third Ventricle which is located in and surrounded by Diencephalon
  • Connected to Cerebral Aqueduct of Sylvius • Located in Midbrain
  • Connected to Fourth Ventricle
    • Located in Pons and Medulla • Continues on as…
  • Central Canal which is Located in Caudal Medulla and Spinal Cord
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12
Q

Describe the 4th Ventricle

A
  • Fourth Ventricle
    • Between Pons /Medulla and Cerebellum
    • Three Apertures

How Ventricular System communicates with Subarachnoid Space (Between Arachnoid and Pia Mater)

  • (1) Median Aperture AKA Foramen of Magendie
  • (2) Lateral Apertures AKA Foramen of Luschka
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13
Q

What is CSF? What is the Choroid Plexus?

A
  • Choroid Plexus is an highly convoluted and vascular membraneous material that secretes Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF).
  • Composed of…
    • Invaginations into the ventricles
    • Arteries, veinules and capillaries
    • Ependymal Layer and Pia Mater (Side faces Subarachnoid Layer)
  • Cerebral Spinal Fluid is a clear, colorless fluid.
    • Purpose is to bathe and nourish the brain and spinal cord
    • Produced in the Choroid Plexus
    • CSF Circulation turns over several times a day
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14
Q

What is the pathway for CSF?

A

CSF Forms in the Lateral Ventricles
• Through Interventricular Foramen
• Through Third Ventricle and Cerebral Aqueduct

  • Through Fourth Ventricle
  • Through Median Aperture and Lateral Apertures
  • (1) Median Aperture AKA Foramen of Magendie
  • (2) Lateral Apertures AKA Foramen of Luschka • To Cisterna Magna and Pontine Cistern

• Then…

  • Superiorly, over Cerebral Hemispheres • Through Superior Sagittal Sinus
  • Into Arachnoid Villi for reabsorption
  • Returns into Venous System

• And…

  • Inferiorly, down to Lumbar Cistern
  • Into Arachnoid Villi for reabsorption
  • Returns to Venous System
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15
Q

What are the meninges?

A
  • Located between Brain and Cranium and encases Spinal Cord
  • “Holds it all together” during head and body movements • Three Meningeal Layers
  • Dura Mater (outer) • Arachnoid (middle) • Pia Mater (inner)
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16
Q

What is the dura mater?

What are the 3 dural reflections?

What is the blood supply? And what’s a lesion called there?

A

Meninges: Dura Mater

  • Thickest of the three layers
  • Attached to Cranium
  • Comprised of Extensions into the cranial cavity called
    • Dural Reflections or Dural Septa (Runs between two Cerebral Hemispheres)
    • Falx Cerebri (extends into Medial Longitudinal Fissure)
    • Tentorium Cerebelli (extends in between Cerebral Hemispheres and Cerebellum)
  • Dural Sinuses
    • Channels for Dural Venous Sinuses (openings for vessels and nerves)
    • Receives CSF from Subarachnoid Space
    • Located along Falx Cerebri and Tentorium Cerebelli
  • Major Blood Supply
    • Middle Meningeal Artery (source for bleeds)
    • Bleeding into Subdural Space (Potential Space) called Subdural Hematoma
  • Pain Sensitive due to Trigeminal Nerve
    • Around eye, temple and forehead
    • Pain NOT felt in brain, arachnoid and pia mater
17
Q

What is the arachnoid?

A

Meninges: Arachnoid

  • Located just inferior to Dura Mater
  • Thin avascular layer only a few cells thick (spider web-like)
  • Purpose is to keep brain suspended via the Arachnoid Trabeculae
  • CSF enters the venous circulation via the Arachnoid Villi
18
Q

What is the pia mater?

A

Meninges: Pia Mater

  • Located inferior to Arachnoid
  • Fine membrane closely adhering to ALL external surfaces of the brain and spinal cord
  • Hugs every contour of the gyri and sulci
  • Merges tightly with the Arachnoid Trabeculae
19
Q

What are potential spaces in the meninges?

A

Injury to the Meninges

  • “Potential Spaces”
    • Epidural Space is between the Dura Mater and Cranium
    • Subdural Space is between the Dura Mater and Arachnoid
  • Often due to a bleed that opens up the space
    • Cause for creating “potential space”
    • Source from Meningeal Artery
    • Epidural Space: Epidural Hematoma
    • Subdural Space: Subdural Hematoma

Neuro (12 decks)

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