Autonomic Physiology Flashcards

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1
Q

The autonomic nervous system exists to

A

control the things we don’t want to think about.

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2
Q

the somatic nervous system sends signals

A

directly to skeletal muscle

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3
Q

the autonomic nervous system sends signals

A

from pre ganglionic fibre (small myelinated) to ganglion to post ganglionic fibre (unmylinated) and finally to smooth muscle, glands, cardiac muscle, GI neurons

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4
Q

ganglion =

A

nerve cell cluster, typically linked by synapses, located in autonomic nervous system

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5
Q

the somatic nervous system has

A
  • specialised neuromuscular junction
  • ionotropic receptors
  • always excites target
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6
Q

the autonomic nervous system has

A
  • less specialised junction
  • metabotropic receptors
  • may excite or inhibit target
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7
Q

sympathetic response causes

A

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
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8
Q

parasympathetic response causes

A

rest and digest response

  • slows heart rate
  • conserves energy
  • increases intestinal and gland activity
  • relaxes sphincter muscles in GI tract
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9
Q

Sympathetic nervous system exists from

A

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

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10
Q

Sympathetic nervous system exists from

A

spinal cord in thoracic (T1 - T12) and lumbar (L1 - L2) regions.

short pre-ganglionic chain and then long post-ganglionic chain to target

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11
Q

in the sympathetic nervous system,

Ganglia lie close to

A

spinal cord in the sympathetic trunk (paravertebral ganglia), or in collateral (prevertebral ganglia = celiac, mesenteric) ganglia

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12
Q

in sympathetic nervous system what is the difference between grey and white ramus

A
White ramus
(preganglionic fibre)
   vs
Grey ramus
(postganglionic fibres)

Convergence and divergence lead to “mass activation”

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13
Q

Parasympathetic targets =

A

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.

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14
Q

sympathetic targets =

A

= thoraco-lumbar.
Ganglia close to spinal cord in sympathetic trunk (aka para-vetebral ganglia). Note this extends further than outflow into these cervical ganglia.

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15
Q

Usually preganglionic fibre enters

A

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.

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16
Q

Parasympathetic targets =

A

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.

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17
Q

Autonomic neurotransmitters

A

Acetylcholine

- Acts on cholinergic receptors
         - Nicotinic receptors 
         - Muscarinic receptors

Noradrenaline (& adrenaline)

- Acts on adrenergic receptors
         - alpha receptors
         - beta receptors
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18
Q

what are the big differences in autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system

A

anatomy

neurotransmitters used

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19
Q

Sympathetic nervous system

A

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

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20
Q

sympathetic nervous system,

Postganglionic cells of adrenal medulla

A

have no axons, but release adrenaline & noradrenaline (approx 80%/20%) into the blood

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21
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system exits from

A

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.

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22
Q

In Parasympathetic nervous system, ganglia lie

A

close to, or within, the target

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23
Q

Parasympathetic nervous system neurotransmitters

A

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

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24
Q

Sympathetic cholinergic fibres can also

A

innervate sweat glands

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25
Q

differences in sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system

A
  • outflow from CNS
  • Location of ganglia
  • transmitters and receptors used
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26
Q

Sympathetic main points

A
  • 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
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27
Q

Parasympathetic main points

A
  • Cranio-sacral
  • Ganglia close to, or within, the target tissue
  • Pre-ganglionic cells release ACh
    - Acts on nicotinic receptors
  • Post-ganglionic cells usually release ACh
    - Acts on muscarinic receptors
  • No hormonal component
  • Produces independent effects
  • Rest-and-digest response
28
Q

Sympathetic Homer

A
  • airways dilate
  • heart beats faster and stronger
  • blood diverts to muscle and gut motility decreases
  • enzyme secretion in gut generally inhibited
  • stored energy is released
  • pupils dilate and eye focus far way
  • hair stands on end
  • mouth gets dry
29
Q

Parasympathetic Homer

A
  • airways constrict
  • heart beats slower and weaker
  • blood diverts to gut and gut motility increases
  • enzyme secretion in gut generally stimulated
  • energy is stored
  • pupils constrict and eyes focus close up
  • hair lies flat
  • mouth starts drooling
30
Q

difference in parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system depends on

A

the neurotransmitter released and what receptor it acts on.
Noradrenaline (and adrenaline) act on alpha and beta receptors.

acetylcholine acts on nicotinic and muscarinic receptors

31
Q

when radial muscle contracts

A

pupils dilate

32
Q

when circular sphincter muscle contracts

A

pupil constricts

33
Q

when the ciliary muscle relaxes

A

eye focuses far away

34
Q

when ciliary muscle contracts

A

eye focuses close up

35
Q

The eye:

Sympathetic system

A

Activates beta 2 receptors on ciliary muscle round lens
- Ciliary muscle relaxes & eye focuses far away
Activates alpha 1 receptors on radial muscle of iris
- Radial muscle contracts & makes pupil larger

36
Q

The eye:

Parasympathetic system

A

Activates muscarinic receptors on ciliary muscle
- Ciliary muscle contracts & eye focuses close up
Activates muscarinic receptors on sphincter muscle
- Contracts sphincter muscle & makes pupil smaller

37
Q

The heart:

Sympathetic system

A

Activates beta 1 receptors on pacemaker cells
- Increases heart rate
Activates (mainly) beta 1 receptors on myocytes
- Increases strength of contraction

38
Q

The heart:

Parasympathetic system

A

Activates muscarinic receptors on pacemaker cells
- Decreases heart rate
Little effect on myocytes
- Little effect on strength of contraction

39
Q

The lungs:

Sympathetic system

A

Activates beta 2 receptors on smooth muscle of airways

- Makes smooth muscle relax & dilates airways

40
Q

The lungs:

Parasympathetic system

A

Activates muscarinic receptors

- Makes smooth muscle contract & constricts airways

41
Q

The lungs:

Therapeutically useful

A

beta 2 agonist (eg salbutamol)
- dilates airways, but does not affect the heart
beta 1 antagonist (eg atenolol)
- decreases heart rate, but does not affect airways

42
Q

Blood vessels:

Sympathetic system

A

Activates alpha 1 receptors on smooth muscle of vessels
- Makes smooth muscle contract & blood flow
decreases
Activates beta 2 receptors on smooth muscle of vessels
- Makes smooth muscle relax & blood flow increases

43
Q

Blood vessels:

Parasympathetic system

A

usually no effect

44
Q

The gut:

Sympathetic system

A

Activates alpha or beta receptors on smooth muscle of gut
- Decreases gut motility
Activates alpha receptors in pancreas
- Inhibits secretion of enzymes

45
Q

The gut:

Parasympathetic system

A

Activates muscarinic receptors on smooth muscle of gut
- Increases gut motility
Activates muscarinic receptors in pancreas
- Increases secretion

46
Q

Energy stores:

Sympathetic system

A

Activates alpha or beta receptors on liver cells (hepatocytes)
- Stimulates glycogenolyis & gluconeogenesis
Activates alpha or beta receptors on fat cells (lipocytes)
- Increases lipolysis

47
Q

Energy stores:

Parasympathetic system

A

no effect

48
Q

Salivary glands:

Sympathetic system

A

Activates beta receptors

- Stimulates thick secretion rich in enzymes

49
Q

Salivary glands:

Parasympathetic system

A

Activates muscarinic receptors

- Stimulates profuse watery secretion

50
Q

An example of antagonistic actions

A

the eye and its relationship with parasympathetic and sympathetic system

51
Q

An example of dual innervation with non-antagonistic actions

A

Salivary glands and its relationship with parasympathetic and sympathetic system

52
Q

Example of single innervation

A

Energy stores and its relationship with sympathetic system

53
Q

An example of dual innervation with non-antagonistic actions

A

Salivary glands and its relationship with parasympathetic and sympathetic system

54
Q

The bladder:

Sympathetic system

A

Activates beta 2 receps on smooth muscle of bladder wall
- Relaxes smooth muscle and reduces pressure
Activates alpha 1 receptors on smooth muscle of sphincter
- Contracts smooth muscle and stops urination

55
Q

The bladder:

Parasympathetic system

A

Activates muscarinic receptors on bladder wall
- Contracts smooth muscle and increases pressure
Activates muscarinic receptors on sphincter
- Relaxes smooth muscle and causes urination

56
Q

The bladder:

Parasympathetic system

A

Activates muscarinic receptors on bladder wall
- Contracts smooth muscle and increases pressure
Activates muscarinic receptors on sphincter
- Relaxes smooth muscle and causes urination

57
Q

Reproductive tract:

Sympathetic system

A

Activates alpha 1 receptors on smooth muscle of urethra

- Contracts smooth muscle and causes ejaculation

58
Q

Reproductive tract:

Parasympathetic system

A

Activates muscarinic receptors on smooth muscle of corpus cavernosum
- Relaxes smooth muscle & causes erection

59
Q

An example dual innervation with complementary effects

A

Reproductive tract and its relationship with parasympathetic and sympathetic system

60
Q

What controls this autonomic nervous system

A

Autonomic reflexes

  - eg baroreceptor reflex
  - baroreceptors detect blood pressure
Plus central control 
      - from the hypothalamus
      - co-ordinates autonomic, somatic and endocrine 
        activity, 
       - eg defence response
61
Q

Complications in autonomic nervous system

A

Some neurones release non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) transmitters
- eg nitric oxide (NO), ATP, VIP

Neurones may co-release transmitters
- eg ACh plus a peptide

Some autonomic neurones are odd
- eg sympathetic post-ganglionic fibres innervating
sweat glands release ACh

62
Q

dual innervation effects may be

A

antagonistic or complimentary.

many tissues have this

63
Q

single intnervation is controlled by

A

varying tone.

some tissues have this

64
Q

sympathetic is always

A

noradrenaline or adrenaline acting on alpha or beta receptors

65
Q

parasympathetic is always

A

acetylcholine acting on muscarinic receptors