autonomic nervous system (theory) Flashcards
what is the function of the ANS?
- to control our organ systems involuntarily
what does the ANS regulate and coordinate?
- body temp
- cardio
- respiratory
- digestive
- excretory
- reproductive
does the ANS have pre and post ganglionic fibers?
yes, unlike the somatic nervous system which innervates SKM
what is the thoracolumbar division?
the sympathetic nervous system
it originates from T1-T12 and L1-L2
this is the fight or flight part of the ANS
what is the craniosacral division
the parasympathetic nervous system
it originates from CN’s 3, 7, 9 and 10
it has sacral origins from S2-S4
this relaxes the body’s systems
sympathetic vs parasympathetic (prof’s notes)
basically, one opposes the other
what are the lengths of the pre and post ganglionic fibers of the sympathetic NS?
pre= short
post = long
the opposite is observed in the parasympathetic NS
where do the pre ganglionic fibers originate from in the thoracolumbar division?
lateral grey horn
what are the NTs of the pre and post ganglionic fibers of the thoracolumbar division
pre = cholinergic
post = adrenergic
ex… ACh = cholinergic
ex… adrenaline (epinephrine) = adrenergic
what are the NTs of the craniosacral division?
both pre and post ganglionic fibers are cholinergic
which has intraneural ganglia? the sympathetic or parasympathetic NS?
the parasympathetic bc some post ganglionic fibers are so short that some ganglia are inside organs
which is faster? thoracolumbar or craniosacral? (prof’s notes)
the parasympathetic NS is faster bc there’s only one NT (ACh) which can be acted on by AChE
does the parasympathetic NS originate from the lateral horn like the sympathetic NS?
no, this is bc it originates from CN’s 3, 7, 9, 10 and S2-S4
what are the 3 types of ganglia of the sympathetic NS?
- sympathetic chain ganglia (paired)
- collateral ganglia (unpaired)
- suprarenal medullae (special)
what is another name for the sympathetic chain ganglia?
paravertebral ganglia or lateral ganglia
what does the sympathetic chain ganglia act on?
- body wall
- head
- neck
- limbs
- thoracic cavity
what is another name for collateral ganglia?
prevertebral ganglia
what does the collateral ganglia act on? (think white ramus)
the collateral ganglia has neurons that innervate the organs of the abdominopelvic cavity
why is the suprarenal medullae considered special?
because it has a preganglionic fiber BUT once activated, it directly secretes hormones into circulation
what actions is the sympathetic chain ganglia responsible for (think fight or flight)
- decreases blood flow to the skin
- increases blood flow to SKM
- increases heart rate
- increases energy production in SKM
- release stored lipids
- dilates pupils
- dilates respiratory tubes
examples of blood redirection under sympathetic chain ganglia
redirecting blood from the skin to the skeletal muscle
ex… looking pale when nervous
ex… not sweating
how many ganglia does each sympathetic chain consists of ?
most of the chain ganglia are from the thoracic and lumbar region
3x cervical
11-12x thoracic
2-5x lumbar
4-5x sacral
1 coccygeal
an example of cervical ganglia control in the sympathetic chain
control of iris dilation
we have dilator and constrictor muscles in our iris that open and close our pupils
the dilator muscles widen the pupil
the constrictor muscles close the pupil
what are the notable nerves of the sympathetic chain ganglia
- lesser splanchnic nerve
- lumbar splanchnic nerve
of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal chains in the sympathetic chain ganglia which has both pre and post ganglionic neurons?
the thoracic chain has both pre and post ganglionic neurons
all other chains have only post ganglionic neurons
cervical –> post
thoracic –> pre + post
lumbar –> post
sacral –> post
coccygeal –> post
what are the splanchnic nerves?
splanchnic nerves are part of the collateral ganglia
they are bundles of pre ganglionic fibers that converge on the collateral ganglia
what are the notable nerves of the collateral ganglia?
- celiac ganglion
- superior mesenteric ganglion
- inferior mesenteric ganglion