Autonomic Nervous System Flashcards
what are the divisions of the ANS?
sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions
what is the role of the ANS?
homeostasis
reproduction
regulates viscera, vasculature, and glands
what are the ANS receptors?
mechanoreceptors (pressure and stretch)
- pressure receptors: aorta, carotid sinus, lungs
- stretch receptors: veins, bladder, intestines
chemoreceptors (chemical changes)
- carotid and aortic bodies: oxygen
- medulla: H+ and CO2 (breathing)
- hypothalamus: plasma glucose, electrolytes
thermoreceptors (temp changes)
- hypothalamus: internal temp
- cutaneous receptors: external temp
nociceptors (pain)
- viscera, arterial walls
what are the afferent pathways of the ANS?
dorsal roots to SC
CN 9 and 10 to BS
afferent pathways from dorsal roots to SC
from muscles, vessels, or intestines to SC
afferent pathways from CN 9, 10 to BS
only CNs transmitting info from viscera to brain
CN 9: info from larynx and pharynx
CN 10: info from aortic arch, bronchii, and liver
what do the visceral afferents entering the BS via CNs go through?
the solitary nucleus
what is the solitary nucleus?
the main visceral sensory nucleus in the brain
from the solitary nucleus, what 2 areas can the visceral afferents be conveyed to?
visceral control area
regulatory area
what is the visceral control area?
in the medulla and pons
direct control of vital functions
what is the regulatory area?
in hypothalamus and limbic system
emotions and motivation
no direct control over vital functions, but can modulate them
what do the visceral afferents connect to?
visceral controls area
regulatory area
visceral (sympathetic) efferents
what additional areas do nociceptive afferents connect to?
somatosensory nociceptive tracts (contributing to referred pain)
somatic efferents (muscle guarding)
what is referred pain?
pain felt at a site different from the injured organ/body part
what is central regulation of autonomic function? what contributes to it?
efferents of the ANS
hypothalamus
medulla
pons
what is the role of the hypothalamus in central regulation of autonomic function?
sympathetic and parasympathetic headquarters
master controller of homeostasis
hypothalamospinal and hypothalamobulbar tracts
direct action on pons and medulla
what is the role of the medulla in central regulation of autonomic function?
processing center for complex visceral reflexes (sympathetic and parasympathetic)
HR, respiration, vasoconstriction/dilation via autonomic efferents and vagus nerve
coughing, swallowing, vasomotor, and cardiac centers
what is the role of the pons in central regulation of autonomic function?
respiration
what is the role of the limbic system with the thalamus?
emotions and sensory input
- anxious=increased HR
- embarrassed=blushing
what is integration of central and peripheral receptor info for autonomic regulation?
checks and balances on ANS changes like respiration
ex: central and peripheral chemoreceptors adjust respiration when medulla detects CO2 and pH of blood
- high CO2, low pH=increased respiration and depth
what are the 2 main CNS outputs? (efferents)
somatic motor: skeletal muscle
autonomic: everything else
somatic motor division of the CNS output
skeletal muscles
voluntary/conscious
1 neuron system
autonomic division of the CNS output
everything else that isn’t skeletal muscle
usually 2 neurons system (1 exception)
hormonal influence
nonconscious
what are the 2 efferent divisions of the ANS?
sympathetic and parasympathetic