Autonomic nervous system Flashcards
Three divisions of the ANS
Sympathetic
Parasympathetic
Enteric
Sympathetic function
Fight, flight, fright
Maximises use of metabolic resources
Parasympathetic function
Opposite to sympathetic division
Switched on during resting
Increases/ conserves metabolic resources
Map of the ANS
Parasympathetic: brainstem
Sympathetic: T1-L2 spinal cord
Parasympathetic: S2- S4 spinal cord
Autonomic nervous system
Axons do not pass directly to the effector organs
Form disynaptic pathways
Neurotransmission within autonomic ganglia
Acetylcholine is the main neurotransmitter
Binds to nicotinic receptors on postganglionic neurones
Ionotropic ligand gated:
- acetylcholine opens pore
- depolarises neurone
Neurotransmission of postganglionic sympathetic neurones
Noradrenaline is the main neurotransmitter
Binds to adrenergic receptors on the effector organ
- metabotropoc G-protein coupled
Neurotransmission within adrenal medulla
Acetylcholine is main neurotransmitter
Binds to nicotinic receptors on chromaffin cells
Causes release of adrenaline/ noradrenaline into circulation
Direct activation of sympathetic effector organs
Neurotransmission within postganglionic parasympathetic neurones
Acetylcholine is the main neurotransmitter
Binds to muscarinic receptors on the effector organ
Metabotropic G protein coupled
Sympathetic trunk/ chain
Interconnected paravertebral ganglia
Extends from cervical to sacral levels
Preganglionic fibres enter sympathetic trunk through white rami communications
Preganglionic fibres
On entering the trunk, preganglionic fibres either
- synapse in ganglion
- pass through ganglion into splanchnic nerves to synapse in prevertebral ganglia
Postganglionic fibres
Much more numerous than preganglionic
Sympathetic responses are mass responses for coordinated activity
From sympaethtic trunk, two routes
- to the periphery
- to the viscera
From prevertebral ganglia, form plexus around viscera
Cervical sympathetic postganglionic fibres
Exit via grey rami communications to spinal nerves
Piggy back down common carotid artery to heart
Piggy back up internal/ external carotid artery to head
Horner’s syndrome
Disruption of the sympathetic supply to head
Any part of pathway- hypothalamus to preganglionic neurones
Pupils- miosis (constricted)
Eyelids- ptosis (drooping) Skin of face- anhydrosis (dry)
Thoracic sympathetic postganglionic fibres
Exit via
- grey rami communicans to spinal nerves
- medial branches to heart and lungs
- thoracic splanchnic nerves to abdomen