autonomic nervous system and neurotransmitters Flashcards
what are the two divisions of the autonomic system?
parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions
what does the sympathetic system do?
prepares body for heightened activity, fight or flight
what does the parasympathetic system do?
stimulates abdominal visceral activity, conserves energy, rest and digest
how do somatic and autonomic nervous systems differ?
- neural (efferent) pathways
- effectors (target organs)
- organ response
- neurotransmitters
what is the control centre of the somatic nervous system?
primary motor cortex
what is the control centre of the autonomic nervous system?
hypothalamus
what are the central neurons of the somatic nervous system?
upper motor neurons
what are the central neurons of the autonomic nervous system?
CNS interneurons
what are the peripheral motor neurons of the somatic nervous system?
lower motor neurons
what are the peripheral motor neurons of the autonomic nervous system?
pre/post-ganglionic neurons
what are the targets of the somatic nervous system?
skeletal muscles
what are the targets of the autonomic nervous system?
- cardiac muscle
- smooth muscle
- glands
what is the function of the somatic nervous system?
voluntary movement, somatic reflexes
what is the function of the autonomic nervous system?
involuntary control of:
-visceral organ function
-glandular activity
visceral reflexes
what are the similarities of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems?
- serve many of the same organs
- involve pre/post-ganglionic neurons
- pre-ganglionic neurons release ACh
- presence of ganglia
what are the differences of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems?
- both divisions do not innervate all organs
- location of pre-ganglionic cell bodies and axon exit points from the CNS
- location of ganglia
what is the parasympathetic division also called?
craniosacral division
what is the sympathetic division also called?
thoracolumbar division
are the pre-ganglionic axons long or short in parasympathetic division?
long
are the post-ganglionic axons long or short in parasympathetic division?
short
are the pre-ganglionic axons long or short in sympathetic division?
short
are the post-ganglionic axons long or short in sympathetic division?
long
what are the cranial pathways of the parasympathetic division?
- CN III oculomotor nerve
- CN VII facial
- CN IX glossopharyngeal
- CN X vagus
is the ganglia in parasympathetic division close or far from the target organ?
close