autonomic nervous system

Question 1

what is the function of the ANS?

Answer 1

• general visceral motor system of the PNS
• invountary control of visceral functions-regulates smooth and cardiac muscle/glands
• regulates heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, body temperature, and other functions vital to maintaining homeostasis
• controls all the routine functions of the body

Question 2

what is the difference between the somatic and autonomic nervous system?

Answer 2

• somatic: one neuron, voluntary, sensory from skin/special senses, motor to skeletal muscles
• autonomic: two neurons (synapses in ganglia), visceral sensory from organs, visceral motor to organs (viscera)

Question 3

where do the organs in the body recieve information from?

Answer 3

most organs/glands receive input from both sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. one activates (sympathetic) and the other inhibits (parasympathetic)

Question 4

how does the fight or flight reaction work?

Answer 4

• sympathetic nervous system causes widespread, long-lasting mobilization of the fight or flight response
• some effects: increase heart rate, respiration and adrenaline, pupils dialte, liver releases sugars (boost energy), redirection of blood flow (cold skin)

Question 5

what is the thoracolumbar spine?

Answer 5

the preganglionic neuron cell bodies in thoracic and lumbar spinal cord

Question 6

what is the sympathetic trunk?

Answer 6

-aka paravertebral ganglia
- chain of ANS ganglia (collection of cell bodies)
- runs lateral to vertebral column from neck to the pelvis
- connect to ventral rami or spinal nerves by rami communicans. white rami are lateral to gray rami (1 ganglia per spinal nerve. some are fused-total of 22 to 24)

Question 7

what is the parasympathetic system?

Answer 7

• PNS effects are highly localized and shorter lived
• “craniosacral” because preganglionic neurons are in the brain and sacral region of spinal cord
• effects: heart rate and respiration slow, blood flow to digestive system increases, pupils constrict

Question 8

what is the basic difference between the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems?

Answer 8

• sympathetic: emergencies, exercise, excitement
• parasympathetic: normal, everyday functioning