Autonomic Nervous System Flashcards
What is the ANS?
The Autonomic System, a self-adjusting system, is the part of the NS that is responsible for homeostasis.
The ANS consists of…
…a system of neurons within the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions called the preganglionic and postganglionic neurons
What is a ganglion?
The meeting point of two neurons
The ANS depends on the CNS to function properly. True or false?
False
Survival is possible without the ANS. True or false?
True.
Although survival is possible without an ANS, the ability to adapt to environmental stressors and other challenges is severely compromised
Function of the ANS
It regulates the activities of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glands. It controls visceral functions that occur below the level of consciousness.
Physiological properties of the AND
- High speed of onset
- Automatic nature
- Tonic activity
The ANS supplies innervation to all organs except…
…the skeletal muscle
Structurally then ANS includes…
- Autonomic sensory neurons (afferents)
- Integrating centers in the CNS
- Autonomic motor neurons (efferents)
ANS Pathway for viscera system
- Receptors
- Afferents
- Control Centres
- Efferents
- Effector organs
Which organs make up the CNS?
Brain and Spinal Cord
Nerve differences between ANS and SoNS
SoNS - One neuron involved in pathway
ANS - 2 neurons involved in automatic ganglion
SoNS - Effect of neuron is always excitation
ANS - Effect is either excitatory or Inhibitory
Explain the arrangement or pathway of the neurons in the ANS
The 2 neurons synapse such that the axon of the first leaves the CNS to synapse with the second whose axon extends to the effector in an autonomic ganglion
Properties of preganglionic (neuron #1)
- Always myelinated
- Neurotransmitter is always ACh
All preganglionic neurons are cholinergic. True or false?
True
Properties of postganglionic (neuron #2)
- Always nonmyelinated
- Neurotransmitter is Ach or norepinephrine
The neurotransmitter of the postganglionic neuron in the SNS is…
…norepinephrine
The neurotransmitter of the postganglionic neuron in the PNS is…
…acetylcholine
The neurotransmitter of the preganglionic neuron in the SNS is…
…acetylcholine. It’s in the same in the PNS
The cell bodies of the preganglionic neurons are located in…
… the intermediolateral (IML) horn cells of the spinal cord in the thoracic and lumbar portions (T1 – L3/4) or lateral gray horns
What is the thoracolumbar portion of the ANS?
The SNS
Synapses or ganglia of neurons #1 and #2 in the SNS are in…
… a chain of ganglia that run alongside the spinal cord and extends on both sides of the vertebral column
The sympathetic chain ganglia carries…
…preganglionic fibers and cell bodies of postganglionic neurons
Routes of preganglionic axons
- Cell bodies of neurons #1 lie in the lateral gray horns of the spinal cord
- Axons of neurons #1 leave the spinal cord via the ventral root (VR)
- These axons pass to the spinal nerve
- Axons leave the spinal nerve via the white branches (rami communicantes)
- Connect with the sympathetic chain ganglia and some end on cell bodies of postganglionic fibres
Axons of neurons #1 leave the spinal cord…
… via the ventral root
Axons leave the spinal nerve via…
…the white branches (rami communicantes)