Autonomic Nervous System Flashcards
What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?
- functions outside of conscious awareness
- makes routine adjustments in our body’s system
- regulates body temperature
- coordinates cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, excretory and reproducive functions
What axons does the autonomic system innervate?
visceral organs
What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system and their other names?
Sympathetic division
- “fight or flight”
- thoracolumbar division
Parasympathetic division
- “rest and repose”
- craniosacral
What is the result of sympathetic activation?
- increased metabolism and alertness
What is the result of parasympathetic activation?
- energy conservation
Where do nerves synapse in the sympathetic division?
- thoracic and upper lumbar nerves synapse in ganglia near the spinal cord
Where do nerves of the parasympathetic division synapse?
- near target organ
For the sympathetic division, which neurotransmitters are released by both preganglionic and postganglionic fibers and their effects.
- preganglionic fibers release acetylcholine
- stimulatory effect
- postganglionic fibers release norepinephrine
- stimulatory
For the parasympathetic division, which neurotransmitters are released by both preganglionic and postganglionic fibers and their effects.
- preganlionic fibers release acetylcholine
- stimulatory
- postganglionic fibers release acetylcholine
- inhibitory
The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions are similar in that both their preganglionic fibers release _______.
acetylcholine
True or false: Postganglionic neurons of the parasympathetic nervous system are always close to the target and postganglionic neurons of the sympathetic nervous system are always far from target organs (i.e. close to spinal cord)
true
Which ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system are located anterior to the vertebral column.
collateral ganglia
What does the sympathetic division consist of?
- preganglionic nurons between T1 and L2
- ganglionic neurons near vertebral columns
- sympathetic chain ganglia
- lateral
- collateral ganglia
- anterior
- sympathetic chain ganglia
- specialized neurons in interior of suprarenal gland
Where are the preganglionic neurons of the sympathetic nervous system located?
lateral gray horns of spinal segments T1 and L2
What are the effectors of sympathetic chain ganglia?
body wall, head, neck, limbs, and thoracic cavity
What are the effectors of the collateral ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system?
abdominopelvic cavity
How does the adrenal gland respond to sympathetic stimulation?
- releasing acetylcholine (stimulatory) from preganglionic fibers
- releasing norepinephrine (stimulatory) from postganglionic fibers
What is the order of output of sympathetic chain ganglia?
- preganglionic neurons in lateral gray hones in spinal segments sent preganlionic fibers to ganglia near the spinal cord where preganglionic fibers release ACh (excitatory) stimulating ganglionic neurons which sent postganglionic fibers to target organs where NE is rleased at neuroeffector junctions and cause the fight or flight response
What are the functions of the sympathetic chain ganglia?
- reduction of circulation to the skin
- more circulation to skeletal muscles
- stimulates more energy production by skeletal muscles
- releases stored adipose
- stimulaation of arrector pili muscles
- dilation of pupils
- increased heart rate
- dilation of respiratory tubes
True or false: Each spinal nerve contains preganglionic and postganglionic fibers of the sympathetic system
true
What are the names of the sympathetic chain ganglia?
- cervical sympathetic chain ganglia
- thoracic sympathetic chain ganglia
- lumbar sympathetic chain ganglia
- sacral sympathetic chain ganglia
- coccygeal sympathetic chain ganglia
Which ganglia are included in the collateral ganglia?
- celiac ganglion
- superior mesenteric ganglion
- inferior mesenteric ganglion
Which nerves converge on the collateral ganglia?
splanchnic nerves
Which structures does the celiac ganglion supply?
- stomach
- duodenum
- liver gallbladder
- pancrease
- spleen
- kidney
Which structures do the superior mesenteric ganglion supply?
- small intestine
- first parts of large intestine
Which structures does the inferior mesenteric ganglion supply?
- kidney
- urinary bladder
- sex organs
- terminal ends of large intestine
What is released from the suprarenal medullae in response to sympathetic stimulation?
- neurotransmitters that act as hormones
- epinephrine
- norepinephrine
What is the function of suprarenal medullae?
- increase alertness by activating the reticular activating system
- increase cardiovascular and respiratory activity
- increase muscle tone
- increase mobilization of energy reserves
- increased release of lipds from adipose cells
- increased breakdown of glycogen in liver cells
Which cranial nerves have parasympathetic fibers?
CN III
- intrinsic eye muscles, pupil and lens
CN VII
- tear glands and salivary glands
CN IX
- parotid salivary glands
CN X
- visceral organs of thoracic and abdominal cavities
Which spinal region has preganglionic parasympathetic fibers?
sacral region
- pelvic nerves
- visceral organs in inferior portion of abdominopelvic cavity
What does CN III (cranial nerve 3) supply?
- intrinsic eye muscles
- pupil
- lens
What does CN VII (cranial nerve 7) supply?
- tear glands
- salivary glands
What does CN IX (cranial nerve 9) supply?
parotid salivary glands
What does CN X (cranial nerve 10) supply?
visceral organs o the thoracic cavity and abdominal cavity
Which cranial nerve controls the parotid salivary gland
A) CN III
B) CN VII
C) CN IX
D) CN X
C
What is the function of the parasympathetic division?
- pupil constriction
- secretion of digestive enzymes from digestive glands
- increased smooth muscle activity of the digestive system
- stimulation and coordination of defecation
- contraction of the urinary bladder
- constriction of respiratory passages
- reduced heart rate
- sexual arousal
Why are the parasympathetic stimulations short lived?
- immediate breakdown of ACh by acetylcholinesterase
Which plexuses are formed when parasympathetic and sympathetic fibers mingle?
- cardiac
- pulmonary
- esophageal
- celiac
- inferior mesenteric
- hypogastric
Cranky Patients Eat Crackers Inside Hospitals
Where are specialized neurons of the sympathetic division found?
- interior of suprarenal gland
_______ release neurotransmitters that act like hormones
specialized neurons
Explain this diagram.
All parasympathetic neurons are ______.
cholinergic
True or false: Release of ACh stimulates nicotinic receptors on ganglionic neurons.
true
True or false: Release of ACh on neuroeffector junctions stimulates muscarinic receptors.
true
True or false: The sympathetic division is more localized and specific as compared to the parasympathetic divison.
False - Parasympathetic division is more localized because preganglionic neurons do not diverge as much as sympathetic
