Autonomic Nervous System

Question 1

What is the post ganglionic neurotransmitter and receptor in the sympathetic NS?

Answer 1

NA and adrenoceptors

and a few ACh with muscarinic

Question 1

What are some common non-classical neurotransmitters?

Answer 1

ATP
NO

Neuropeptides

Question 1

What is the difference between a supraspinal and spinal reflex?

Answer 1

Supraspinal reflexes integrate input from the brain

Spinal reflexes don’t

Question 1

What is the most important structure in the central coordination of autonomic output and what information does it receive?

Answer 1

Hypothalamus

Sensory pathways

Intrinsic sensory structures eg osmoreceptors

Hormonal input

Question 2

Do prevertebral ganglia coordinate divergently or covergently?

Answer 2

Convergently

Question 3

What is the post ganglionic neurotransmitter and receptor in the parasympathetic NS?

Answer 3

ACh and muscarinic

Question 4

What are the brainstem nuclei of the parasympathetic NS?

Answer 4

Edinger Westphal

Salivatory nuclei

Dorsal motor nucleus of vagus and nucleus ambiguous

Question 4

What is unique about the pelvic ganglia?

Answer 4

They are mix of para and sympathetic NS

Generally just a relay station

Parasympathetic have unusually long axons: vunerable

Question 5

What are some examples of sympathetic NS responses?

Answer 5

Increase HR and contractility

Increase blood to skeletal muscles

Decrease blood to gut

Decrease gut motility

Relax airways

Question 8

Which nerves of the autonomic nervous system originate from the cervical and lumbar enlargements?

Answer 8

Neither

Question 10

Where do nerves of the parasympathetic NS originate in the spinal cord?

Answer 10

Brainstem and sacrum

Question 12

Where are ganglia of the parasympathetic NS system generally found?

Answer 12

On organs

Question 12

Where are the ganglia and what structures do they supply for paravertebral ganglion?

Answer 12

In a chain parallel to the spinal cord

Supplies the vessels

Question 13

What are some examples of parasympathetic action?

Answer 13

Decrease HR and contractily

Constrict airways

Increase gut motility

Question 14

Neurotransmission at organs sometimes differs to skeletal muscle, how so?

Answer 14

More than one transmission point per axon

Question 16

Where are the ganglia and what structures do they supply for prevertebral ganglion?

Answer 16

Anterior to the spinal cord

Non-vascular smooth muscle

Question 17

Do paravertebral ganglia coordinate divergently or covergently?

Answer 17

Divergently

Question 18

What makes the sympathetic NS response potentially greater than the parasympathetic?

Answer 18

Activation of the adrenal glands and release of circulating hormones (adrenaline and noradrenaline)

Question 19

Where do nerves for the sympathetic nervous system originate in the spinal cord?

Answer 19

Thoracolumbar region

Question 20

What is the preganglionic neurotransmitter and receptor in the autonomic NS?

Answer 20

ACh and nicotinic

Question 21

What does the caudal part of the nucleus of the solitary tract do in processing of information for reflexes?

Answer 21

Either sends output back to the local reflex centre in the SC

or

Sends information up to the higher centre to drive more complex responses

Question 22

Where are the pre-ganglionic nuclei of the sympathetic NS in the spinal cord?

Answer 22

Intermediolateral cell column

Question 23

What structure allows the supraspinal aspect of the autonomic system?

Answer 23

Caudal part of the nucleus of the solitary tract

Question 24

What the two patterns of ganglia structure in the sympathetic NS?

Answer 24

Paravertebral - parallel to the spinal cord

Prevertebral - on the midline