Autonomic Nervous System Terminology

Question 1

Adrenergic agonists

Answer 1

Drugs that stimulate and mimic the actions of the sympathetic nervous system; also called sympathomimetics. (p. 379)

Question 2

Adrenergic receptors

Answer 2

Receptor sites for the sympathetic neurotransmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine. (p. 380)

Question 3

α-Adrenergic receptors

Answer 3

A class of adrenergic receptors that is further subdivided into α1- and α2-receptors; α1- and α2-receptors exist postsynaptically, and α2-receptors also exist presynaptically. Both types are differentiated by their anatomical location in the tissues, muscles, and organs regulated by specific autonomic nerve fibres. (p. 380)

Question 4

Autonomic functions

Answer 4

Bodily functions that are involuntary and result from the physiological activity of the autonomic nervous system. The functions often occur in pairs of opposing actions between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system. (p. 379)

Question 5

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 5

A branch of the peripheral nervous system that controls autonomic bodily functions; it consists of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. (p. 379)

Question 6

β-adrenergic receptors

Answer 6

A class of adrenergic receptors that is further subdivided into β1- and β2-receptors; located on postsynaptic cells that are stimulated by specific autonomic nerve fibres; β1-adrenergic receptors are located primarily in the heart, whereas β2-adrenergic receptors are located in the smooth muscle fibres of the bronchioles, arterioles, and visceral organs

Question 7

Catecholamines

Answer 7

Substances that can produce a sympathomimetic response; either endogenous catecholamines (such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine) or synthetic catecholamine drugs (such as dobutamine). (p. 379)

Question 8

Dopaminergic receptor

Answer 8

A third type of adrenergic receptor (in addition to α-adrenergic and β-adrenergic receptors); located in various tissues and organs and activated by the binding of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which can be either endogenous or a synthetic drug form. (p. 380)

Question 9

Mydriasis

Answer 9

Pupillary dilation, whether natural (physiological) or drug induced. (p. 383)

Question 10

Ophthalmics

Answer 10

Drugs that are used in the eye. (p. 383)

Positive chronotropic effect An increase in heart rate. (p. 383)

Question 11

Positive dromotropic effect

Answer 11

An increase in the conduction of cardiac electrical impulses through the atrioventricular node, which results in the transfer of nerve action potentials from the atria to the ventricles; ultimately leads to a systolic heartbeat (ventricular contractions). (p. 383)

Question 12

Positive inotropic effect

Answer 12

An increase in the force of contraction of the heart muscle (myocardium). (p. 383)

Question 13

Sympathomimetics

Answer 13

Drugs used therapeutically that mimic the catecholamines epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine; also called adrenergic agonists. (p. 379)

Question 14

Acrocyanosis

Answer 14

Decreased amount of oxygen delivered to the extremities, causing the feet or hands to turn blue. (p. 394)

Question 15

Adrenergic receptors

Answer 15

Specific receptor sites located throughout the body for the endogenous sympathetic neurotransmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine. (p. 394)

Question 16

Agonists

Answer 16

Drugs with a specific receptor affinity that produce a “mimic” response. (p. 394)

Question 17

Angina Paroxysmal

Answer 17

(sudden) chest pain caused by myocardial ischemia. (p. 398)

Question 18

Antagonists

Answer 18

Drugs that bind to specific receptors and inhibit or block the response of the receptors. (p. 394)

Question 19

Dysrhythmias

Answer 19

Irregular heart rhythms; almost always called arrhythmias in clinical practice. (p. 398)

Question 20

Extravasation

Answer 20

The leaking of fluid from a blood vessel into the surrounding tissues, as in the case of an infiltrated intravenous infusion. (p. 395)

Question 21

First-dose phenomenon

Answer 21

Severe and sudden drop in blood pressure after the administration of the first dose of an α-adrenergic blocker. (p. 395)

Question 22

Intrinsic sympathomimetic activity

Answer 22

The paradoxical action of some β-blocking drugs (e.g., acebutolol) that mimics the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. (p. 396)

Question 23

Lipophilicity

Answer 23

The chemical attraction of a substance (e.g., drug molecule) to lipid or fat molecules. (p. 398)

Question 24

Orthostatic hypotension

Answer 24

A sudden drop in blood pressure when a person stands up; also referred to as postural hypotension or orthostasis. (p. 395)

Question 25

Pheochromocytoma

Answer 25

A vascular adrenal gland tumour that is usually benign but secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine and thus often causes central nervous system stimulation and substantial blood pressure elevation. (p. 394)

Question 26

Raynaud’s disease

Answer 26

A narrowing of small arteries that limits the amount of blood circulation to the extremities, causing numbness of the nose, fingers, toes, and ears in response to cold temperatures or stress. (p. 394)

Question 27

Sympatholytics

Answer 27

Drugs that inhibit the postganglionic functioning of the sympathetic nervous system. (p. 394)

Question 28

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Answer 28

The neurotransmitter responsible for transmission of nerve impulses to effector cells in the parasympathetic nervous system. (p. 407)

Question 29

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)

Answer 29

The enzyme responsible for the breakdown of acetylcholine (also referred to simply as cholinesterase). (p. 408)

Question 30

Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 30

A disease of the brain characterized by progressive mental deterioration manifested by confusion, disorientation, and loss of memory, ability to calculate, and visual–spatial orientation. (p. 409)

Question 31

Atony

Answer 31

A lack of normal muscle tone. (p. 408)

Question 32

Cholinergic crisis

Answer 32

Severe muscle weakness and respiratory paralysis due to excessive acetylcholine; often seen in patients with myasthenia gravis as an adverse effect of drugs used to treat the disorder. (p. 410)

Question 33

Cholinergic receptor

Answer 33

A nerve receptor that is stimulated by acetylcholine. (p. 407)

Question 34

Miosis

Answer 34

Contraction of the pupil. (p. 408)

Question 35

Muscarinic receptors

Answer 35

Cholinergic receptors located postsynaptically in the effector organs, such as smooth muscle, heart muscle, and glands supplied by parasympathetic fibres. (p. 407)

Question 36

Nicotinic receptors

Answer 36

Cholinergic receptors located in the ganglia (where presynaptic and postsynaptic nerve fibres meet) of both the parasympathetic nervous system and the sympathetic nervous system, so named because they can be stimulated by the alkaloid nicotine. (p. 407)

Question 37

Parasympathomimetics

Answer 37

Drugs that mimic the parasympathetic nervous system; also referred to as cholinergic agonist drugs. (p. 412)

Question 38

Cholinergic-blocking drugs

Answer 38

Drugs that block the action of acetylcholine and substances similar to acetylcholine at receptor sites in the brain. (p. 419)

Question 39

Mydriasis

Answer 39

Dilation of the pupil of the eye caused by contraction of the dilator muscle of the iris. (p. 420)

Question 40

Parasympatholytics

Answer 40

Drugs that reduce the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system; also called anticholinergics.