Autonomic Nervous System Flashcards
What are the two major portions the autonomic nervous system is divided into?
Parasympathetic and Sympathetic
What is the third (not so major) portion of the autonomic nervous system?
Enteric (GI tract)
What is that parasympathetic system chiefly involved in?
Maintaining normal (resting) function of body
What is the sympathetic system chiefly involved in?
Regulating organ function during excitement or stress
T/F: When both systems act on the same organ, their actions are usually opposite
True
What would be a non-invasive way to assess autonomic function of a patient being rushed into the ER?
Shine a light into eyes to look for dilation or contraction of pupil
T/F: Both PNS and SNS innervate muscles in the iris
True (muscle contraction happen in both cases)
Sympathetic muscle contraction causes ____ in the iris
Mydraisis (dilation)
Parasympathetic muscle contraction causes ____ in the iris
Myosis (contraction)
How do neurons talk to each other or to other muscles/target organs in the ANS?
Neurotransmitters are released
What are the 5 events in the life of a neurotransmitter?
- Synthesis
- Storage
- Release
- Receptor binding
- Disposition (signal must be stopped in some way)
What are 2 major neurotransmitters in the ANS?
Acetylcholine (ACh): “Cholinergic” neurons/synapses
Epinephrine/Adrenalin (Epi)
Norepinephrin (NE): “adregergic” neurons/synapses
Where do the nerves originate in the PNS?
Medulla and sacral segments of spinal cord
What does the PNS innervate?
Cardiac and smooth muscle, gland cells, nerve terminals
What does the SNS innervate?
Sweat glangs, cardiac and smooth muscle, gland cells, nerve terminals, renal vascular smooth muscle in the kidney