Autonomic Physiology Flashcards
1
Q
What is the sympathetic nervous system?
A
orchestrates the stress response and energy consumption associated with ‘fight or flight’
2
Q
What is the parasympathetic nervous system?
A
regulates functions including restorative and energy consuming.
3
Q
What is the anatomy of sympathetic NS?
A
- short pre-ganglionic fibres
- preganglionic fibres synapse in paravertebral or prevertebral ganglia
- long post-ganglionic fibres
4
Q
What is the anatomy of the parasympathetic NS?
A
- long pre-ganglionic fibres
- preganglionic fibres synapse in or on target tissues
- short post-ganglionic fibres
5
Q
Describe neurotransmission in the sympathetic NS.
A
pre-ganglionic neurons:
- neurotransmitter = acetylcholine
- post-synaptic receptor = nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
post:
- neurotransmitters: acetylcholine, noradrenaline
- post-synaptic receptor: muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, a2/a3 adrenoreceptor; B1/B2 adrenoreceptor
6
Q
Describe neurotransmission in parasympathetic NS?
A
Pre-ganglionic:
- neurotransmitter: acetylcholine
- receptor: nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
post-:
- neurotransmitter: acetylcholine
- receptor: muscarinic acetylcholine receptor
7
Q
Describe acetylcholine receptors.
A
Nicotinic:
- present in ganglia
- ligant-gated ion channels
muscarinic:
- present in effector cells
- G-Protein coupled receptors
