autonomic nervous system Flashcards
autonomic nervous system (ANS)
involuntary branch of the nervous system
what is the goal of the ANS
to maintain homeostasis
what are the 2 main divisions of the ANS
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
-both have a 2 neuron chain
describe the 2 neuron chain
1st chain - preganglionic neurons with cell body in the lateral horn of the spinal cord (before the bundle of neurons)
2nd chain - post ganglionic neuron with cell body in the peripheral autonomic ganglion (after bundle of neurons)
sympathetic nervous system
thoracic and lumbar spinal cord and postganglionic cells terminate on the effector organs
-fight or flight response
the sympathetic nervous system is also the …….
thoracolumbar system
parasympathetic nervous system
cranial nerves and sacral components, outflow to thoracic, abdominal and pelvic viscera
-rest and digest
the parasympathetic nervous system is also the ….
craniosacral system
sympathetic stimulation
fight or flight, getting ready for something
examples of sympathetic stimulation
-increased heart rate
-constriction of blood vessels
-dilation of airways
-decreased digestive tract motility
-pupillary dilation
-increased alertness
parasympathetic stimulation
rest and digest
examples of parasympathetic stimulation
-decreased heart rate
-dilation of blood vessels
-constriction of airways
-increased motility of the digestive tract
-pupillary constriction
adrenal medulla
innervated by the ANS and is on each kidney
-outer layer is the adrenal cortex and inner layer is the adrenal medulla
what type of cells does the adrenal medulla contain
chromaffin cells
-derived from neural crest cells
what do chromaffin cells secrete into the bloodstream
catecholamines
what hormones are secreted into the blood by adrenal glands
corticosteroids (stress hormone), aldosterone (manages blood pressure), and androgenic steroids
what is the stress hormone
corticosteroid
what is involved in the supraspinal regulation of the ANS
hypothalamus, pituitary, limbic system, medulla, and pre-frontal cortex
the role of the hypothalamus for the ANS
integration center for ANS activity
the role of the pituitary for the ANS
the master gland
the role of the limbic system for the ANS
the emotional system
the role of the medulla for the ANS
contains centers that control the autonomic activity
the role of the pre-frontal cortex for the ANS
mediating emotional expression
-such as blushing
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA Axis)
works as a chain to send out chemicals that are needed to control the body for day to day functioning
-sends’s downward from hypothalamus to the adrenal
