Autonomic Nervous System

Question 1

2 main divisions of nervous system

Answer 1

CNS & PNS

Question 2

CNS =

Answer 2

brain and spinal cord

Question 3

PNS =

Answer 3

motor neurons and sensory neurons, including cranial nerves and spinal nerves

Question 4

motor neurons

Answer 4

carry motor info from CNS to muscles and glands (efferent)

Question 5

sensory neurons

Answer 5

carry sensory info from sensory organs to CNS (afferent)

Question 6

motor neurons can be split into 2

Answer 6

1. somatic NS
2. autonomic NS

Question 7

somatic NS

Answer 7

controls voluntary movement

Question 8

autonomic NS

Answer 8

controls involuntary movement

Question 9

autonomic NS divisions

Answer 9

1. sympathetic division
2. parasympathetic division

Question 10

sympathetic division

Answer 10

fight or flight

Question 11

parasympathetic division

Answer 11

rest and digest

Question 12

autonomic pathways are efferent and consist of

Answer 12

2 neurons which synapse in a ganglion

Question 13

difference in autonomic and somatic

Answer 13

autonomic = 2 neurons which synapse in a ganglion
somatic = direct connection in form of a single neuron

Question 14

difference in pre and post ganglionic neurons

Answer 14

preganglionic = myelinated
postganglionic = non myelinated

Question 15

how do preganglionic neurons differ in ANS

Answer 15

sympathetic = shorter preganglionic neurons
parasympathetic = longer preganglionic neurons

Question 16

what is a ganglion

Answer 16

collection of nerve cell bodies within PNS and the equivalent structure is a nucleus in the CNS

Question 17

2 neurotransmitters used for communication in ANS are

Answer 17

1. acetylcholine
2. noradrenaline

Question 18

effect of the neurotransmitters

Answer 18

excitatory postsynaptic effect

Question 19

neurons that release ACh are known as

Answer 19

cholinergic fibres

Question 20

neurons that release NA are known as

Answer 20

adrenergic fibres

Question 21

what happens at cervical ganglia

Answer 21

the preganglionic sympathetic neurons synapse here before hitch-hiking with arteries to reach their target

Question 22

where are the cervical ganglia located (3)

Answer 22

superior cervical ganglion - C1/2
middle cervical ganglion C6
inferior cervical ganglion C7

Question 23

post ganglionic axons from superior cervical ganglion reach their target by

Answer 23

forming a plexus around the common carotid artery and its branches

Question 24

superior cervical ganglion supplies branches via

Answer 24

ICA & ECA forming plexuses
cervical spinal nerves C1-C4 cervical plexus
pharynx
superior cardiac nerves

Question 25

middle cervical ganglion supplies branches via

Answer 25

cervical spinal nerves C5-C6
middle cardiac nerves

Question 26

inferior cervical ganglion supplies branches via

Answer 26

vertebral artery (forming a plexus)
cervical spinal nerves C7-T1 with C7+8 forming brachial plexus
inferior cardiac nerves

Question 27

cervical ganglia regulate what

Answer 27

sympathetic innervation of eyes, eyelids, lacrimal glands, carotid body, salivary and sweat glands

Question 28

what causes Horner’s syndrome

Answer 28

damage to the cervical sympathetic trunk in the neck

Question 29

3 signs and symptoms of Horner’s

Answer 29

1. constriction of the pupil (miosis)
2. drooping of superior eyelid (ptosis)
3. vasodilation and absence of sweating on face and neck

Question 30

parasympathetic path of CN III (oculomotor)

Answer 30

preganglionic - from Edinger-Westphal nucleus in brain to ciliary ganglion
postganglionic - travel to innervate ciliary muscle and sphincter pupillae

Question 31

parasympathetic path of CN VII (facial)

Answer 31

superior salvatory nucleus in brainstem to pterygopalatine & submandibular ganglia
pterygopalatine ganglion to lacrimal gland and nasal mucose
submandibular ganglion to submandibular gland via chorda tympani

Question 32

parasympathetic path of CNIX (glossopharyngeal)

Answer 32

inferior salvatory nucleus to otic ganglion
otic ganglion to parotid gland via auriculotemporal nerve

Question 33

where is the otic ganglion found

Answer 33

below foramen ovale in infratemporal fossa on the medial side of the mandibular nerve