Autonomic Nervous System

Question 1

4 important sympathetic pathways

Answer 1

1. Spinal nerve pathway
2. Splanchnic nerve pathway
3. Adrenal medulla pathway
4. Postganglionic sympathetic nerve pathway

Question 2

Autonomic plexuses

Answer 2

Collections of pre/post-ganglionic axons of the sympathetic nervous system and post sympathetic nervous system. Complex innervation of target organs/effectors.

*sns and psns plexuses automatically close, but do not interact

Question 3

Enteric nervous system

Answer 3

The “little brain”

Within walls of the digestive tract, self contained. Controls digestive functions. Includes myenteric and submucosal plexuses

Question 4

Myenteric plexus

Answer 4

Part of the enteric system. Regulates enzyme production.

Question 5

Submucosal plexus

Answer 5

Part of the enteric nervous system. Stimulates fluid secretion

Question 6

Primary neurotransmitters of the ANS

Answer 6

ACh and norepinephrine

Question 7

Cholinergic receptors

Answer 7

“Work receptors” that bind ACh and similar molecules, stimulatory function

Include nicotinic and muscarinic receptors

Question 8

Nicotinic receptors

Answer 8

Binds with all nicotinic (nicotine and similar) molecules, cause EXCITATORY presynaptic potentials

Question 9

Muscarinic receptors

Answer 9

Stimulate receptors found on neurons in sweat glands, blood vessels, skeletal muscles.

Question 10

3 important catecholamines

Answer 10

1. Dopamine
2. Norepinephrine
3. Epinephrine

Question 11

Andrenergic receptors

Answer 11

Neurons/receptors related to norepinephrine and similar molecules

Includes biogenic amines and catecholamines

Subdivide into alpha and beta versions.
Alpha - always stimulatory
Beta - stimulatory or inhibitory depending on effector

Question 12

Autonomic tone

Answer 12

Interplay of the SNS and PSNS to maintain function in a shared effector

Question 13

Which structure has highest level of control of ANS?

Answer 13

Hypothalamus