Autonomic Nervous System

Question 1

ANS overview

Answer 1

contains:
- motor neurons that control internal organs automatically
- sensory neurons from internal organs (whose cell bodies are in the DRG with somatic sensory neurons)
- 2 divisions

Question 2

divisions of ANS

Answer 2

1. sympathetic
2. parasymphathetic

–> have opposite effects on the same organs

Question 3

sympathetic NS overview

Answer 3

• aka thoracolumbar division
• important during emergency situations (fight or flight response)
• widespread targets
• purpose = to increase oxygen and glucose available for active muscular contraction

Question 4

sympathetic NS influence on body

Answer 4

• increases heart rt + breathing rt
• dilates bronchi
• makes liver break down glucagon into blood glucose
• inhibits digestion (not urgent –> conserves energy)

Question 5

neurotransmitter of sympathetic NS

Answer 5

norepinephrine

Question 6

ganglia of sympathetic nervous system (4)

Answer 6

1. sympathetic trunk ganglia
2. celiac ganglion
3. superiomesenteric ganglion
4. inferior mesenteric ganglion

Question 7

sympathetic trunk ganglia

Answer 7

• part of sympathetic NS
• located on both sides of spinal cord
• innervate effector organs in trunk/head/limbs

Question 8

celiac ganglion

Answer 8

• largest ganglion of sympathetic NS

- innervates digestive tract

Question 9

superiomesenteric ganglion

Answer 9

innervates small intestine and part of large intestine

Question 10

inferior mesenteric ganglion

Answer 10

innervates large intestine, kidneys, bladder, sex organs

Question 11

parasympathetic NS (in depth)

Answer 11

• aka craniosacral division, “housekeeper system”
• more specific targets than sympathetic NS
• promotes all internal responses of relaxed state

Question 12

parasympathetic NS influence on body

Answer 12

• constricts pupil, helps lenses focus on nearby objects
• promotes digestion (stimulates gi tract muscles and digestive glands)
• slows heart rt

Question 13

parasympathetic NS neurotransmitter

Answer 13

acetylcholine (ACh)

Question 14

ganglia of parasympathetic NS (5)

Answer 14

1. ciliary ganglion
2. pterygopalatine ganglion
3. submandibular ganglion
4. otic ganglion
5. intramural ganglia

Question 15

ciliary ganglion

Answer 15

• part of parasympathetic NS
• associated with CN III
• targets intrinsic eye muscles to change pupil/lens

Question 16

pterygopalatine ganglion

Answer 16

• part of parasympathetic NS
• associated with CN VII
• targets tear productions, nasal + salivary glands

Question 17

submandibular ganglion

Answer 17

• part of parasympathetic NS
• associated with CN VII
• targets tear production, nasal + salivary glands

Question 18

otic ganglion

Answer 18

• part of parasympathetic NS
• associated with CN IX
• targets parotid glands

Question 19

intramural ganglia

Answer 19

• part of parasympathetic NS
• associated with CN X
• targets visceral organs of thoracic cavity

Question 20

Preganglionic axon

Answer 20

motor neuron w/ cell body in spinal cord whose axon synapses on motor neuron outside spinal cord in an autonomic ganglion

Question 21

postganglionic axon

Answer 21

axon of ganglionic neuron (located in autonomic ganglion) whose axon synapses on an effector organ in PNS