Autonomic Physiology Flashcards
The autonomic nervous system exists to
control the things we don’t want to think about.
the somatic nervous system sends signals
directly to skeletal muscle
the autonomic nervous system sends signals
from pre ganglionic fibre (small myelinated) to ganglion to post ganglionic fibre (unmylinated) and finally to smooth muscle, glands, cardiac muscle, GI neurons
ganglion =
nerve cell cluster, typically linked by synapses, located in autonomic nervous system
the somatic nervous system has
- specialised neuromuscular junction
- ionotropic receptors
- always excites target
the autonomic nervous system has
- less specialised junction
- metabotropic receptors
- may excite or inhibit target
sympathetic response causes
flight or fight response
- dilated pupils to see into distance
- increased heart rate
- shallow rapid breathing
- release of catecholeamines which includes adrenaline and noradrenaline
- tense muscles
parasympathetic response causes
rest and digest response
- slows heart rate
- conserves energy
- increases intestinal and gland activity
- relaxes sphincter muscles in GI tract
Sympathetic nervous system exists from
spinal cord in thoracic (T1 - T12) and lumbar (L1 - L2) regions.
short pre-ganglionic chain and then long post-ganglionic chain to target
Ganglia lie close to spinal cord in the sympathetic trunk (paravertebral ganglia), or in collateral ganglia (prevertebral ganglia = celiac, mesenteric
Sympathetic nervous system exists from
spinal cord in thoracic (T1 - T12) and lumbar (L1 - L2) regions.
short pre-ganglionic chain and then long post-ganglionic chain to target
in the sympathetic nervous system,
Ganglia lie close to
spinal cord in the sympathetic trunk (paravertebral ganglia), or in collateral (prevertebral ganglia = celiac, mesenteric) ganglia
in sympathetic nervous system what is the difference between grey and white ramus
White ramus (preganglionic fibre) vs Grey ramus (postganglionic fibres)
Convergence and divergence lead to “mass activation”
Parasympathetic targets =
cranio-sacral. Cranial outflow to head & neck (mainly, look at that vagus go!), sacral to bladder and genitals
Long preganglionic fibre, short postganglionic fibre. Ganglion is in, or close to, target.
sympathetic targets =
= thoraco-lumbar.
Ganglia close to spinal cord in sympathetic trunk (aka para-vetebral ganglia). Note this extends further than outflow into these cervical ganglia.
Usually preganglionic fibre enters
sympathetic trunk, makes synapse there, and then along postganglionic fibre.
But some go straight through and make synapse in prevertebral(= collateral) ganglia, ie celiac & mesenteric ganglia, then postganglionic fibre carries on.
Odd ones go to adrenal gland and have no postganglionic fibre. They do have cell body there and that releases the transmitter, as a hormone, into to the blood.
Parasympathetic targets =
cranio-sacral. Cranial outflow to head & neck (mainly, look at that vagus go!), sacral to bladder and genitals
Long preganglionic fibre, short postganglionic fibre. Ganglion is in, or close to, target.
Autonomic neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine
- Acts on cholinergic receptors - Nicotinic receptors - Muscarinic receptors
Noradrenaline (& adrenaline)
- Acts on adrenergic receptors - alpha receptors - beta receptors
what are the big differences in autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system
anatomy
neurotransmitters used
Sympathetic nervous system
Preganglionic fibres release acetylcholine
- acts on nicotinic cholinergic receptors*
Postganglionic fibres release noradrenaline
- acts on alpha or beta adrenergic receptors
These are different from those at the neuromuscular junction
sympathetic nervous system,
Postganglionic cells of adrenal medulla
have no axons, but release adrenaline & noradrenaline (approx 80%/20%) into the blood
Parasympathetic nervous system exits from
spinal cord in cranial (3, 7, 9, 10) & sacral (S2-4) regions
Long preganglionic fibre, short postganglionic fibre. Ganglion is in, or close to, target.
In Parasympathetic nervous system, ganglia lie
close to, or within, the target
Parasympathetic nervous system neurotransmitters
Preganglionic fibres release acetylcholine
- acts on nicotinic cholinergic receptors
Postganglionic fibres release acetylcholine
- acts on muscarinic cholinergic receptors
Some postganglionic fibres release non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) transmitters
eg peptides or Nitric Oxide
Sympathetic cholinergic fibres can also
innervate sweat glands
differences in sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
- outflow from CNS
- Location of ganglia
- transmitters and receptors used
Sympathetic main points
- Thoraco-lumbar
- Ganglia usually close to spinal cord (except collateral ganglia)
- Pre-ganglionic cells release ACh
- Acts on nicotinic receptors - Post-ganglionic cells usually release noradrenaline (norepinephrine)
- Acts on alpha or beta receptors - Hormonal component (adrenaline (epinephrine) from adrenal medula)
- Produces co-ordinated effects
- Fight-or-flight response