autonomic nervous system

Question 1

what are the 5 main parts of the nervous system

Answer 1

• brain
• spinal cord
• peripheral nerves
• autonomic nervous system
• enteric ns

Question 2

what are the 3 components of the autonomic nervous system

Answer 2

• sympathetic
• parasympathetic
• enteric

Question 3

what is the organisation of the autonomic nervous system

Answer 3

• 2 neurone system which is post ganglionic and pre ganglionic neurone
• pre ganglionic neurone origonates from lateral horn of spinal cord
• post ganglione neurone originates from ganglia which innervates target organ
• in ganglia synapes between pre and post ganglia

Question 4

what is an exception of the 2 neurone system in autonomic sympathetic nervous system

Answer 4

• adrenal medulla directly innervated from pre ganglionic neurone
• no post ganglionic neurone

Question 5

what is the pre and post ganglionic neurone made of

Answer 5

pre ganglionic neurone is myelinated- white rami
- post ganglionic neurone not myelinated so grey rami

Question 6

what is a ganglia

Answer 6

• collection of cell bodys of neurones found in peripheral nervous system
• part of autonomic nervous system
• can also be part of somatic- dorsal root ganglia (varseilla zooster virus lay dormant)

Question 7

where does sympathetic nerves originate from

Answer 7

• thoraco-lumbar (all thoracid spinal nerves and the first three lumbar spinal nerves)
• projection aranged viscerotopically so organs located higher are innervated from a spinal nerve high in the spinal cord

Question 8

where are the 2 locations of the sympathetic ganglia

Answer 8

-paravertebral chain- lateral to spinal cord
- prevertebral ganglia- infront of spinal cord- innervate abdomen and pelvis

Question 9

what does the adrenal gland release

Answer 9

norepinephrine (noradrenaline)
epinephrine (adrenaline)

Question 10

where is the origin of parasympathetic nerves

Answer 10

• cranio-sacral origin in the cns
• originate either from the brain or the sacrum of the spinal cord
• thoracic and abdominal viscera innervated by vagus nerve

Question 11

where is the parasympathetic ganglia

Answer 11

• next to or embedded within target organ
• e.g. heart and lungs are ganglia are embedded within the tissue

Question 12

what is the projections like of the post ganglionic neurones

Answer 12

• short axons and minimal branching

Question 13

what is the projections like of pre ganglionic neurones

Answer 13

• lots of branching to reach target

Question 14

what neurotransmitters are released from pre to post ganglion

Answer 14

• Ach always

Question 15

what neurotransmitters are released from post ganglionic neurones of the parasympathetic nervous system

Answer 15

• Ach

Question 16

what neurotransmitters are released from post ganglionic neurone in sympathetic nervous system

Answer 16

• norepinephrine in all cases apart from in sweat glands where Ach is released

Question 17

what neurotransmitter do motor neurones release in somatic nervous system to their target

Answer 17

• Ach

Question 18

what other neurotransmtiters can be released alongside with the main transmitters

Answer 18

NO, ATP- co released alongside with the main neurotransmitters

Question 19

what is the enteric ns

Answer 19

• part of autonomic ns
• embedded in lining of gut- said to have more neurones than in the spinal cord
• regulated activity of intestines, local blood flow and glands
• research suggests links to certain neurological conditions such as parkinsons