Autonomics 4 Flashcards
Horner’s Syndrome
interruption of sympathetic pathways to the face; could be a lesion on 1) neurons from brain to thoracic spinal cord, 2) sympthetic preganglionic neurons, or 3) sympathetic postganglionic neurons for eyes or blood vessels
anhidrosis
loss of sweating (due to decreased glandular secretions)
miosis
smaller pupil
ptosis
upper lip drooping
enopthalmos
sunken eye
How does Horner’s Syndrome cause pupil constriction?
lesion blocks sympathetic pathway to AR a1 which would nomally dilate the pupil
Urinary incontinence is mainly caused by what pathway?
hyperactivation of parasympathetic signals
The external sphincter of the bladder is controlled by what nervous system?
somatic - it has striated muscle and is under voluntary control (specifically the pudendal nerve)
How do sympathetic nerves control the bladder from spontaneously emptying?
relaxation of detrusor (b3) and constriction of internal sphincter (a1)
What system controls filling of the bladder?
sympathetic
What system controls emptying of the bladder?
parasympathetic
Pheochromocytoma
rare endocrine tumor from the adrenal glands that produces and releases excess epinephrine and norepinephrine
Pheochomocytoma affects what nervous system?
sympathetic (that’s what innervates adrenals)
Common species with pheochromosytomas
dogs and cattle
Symptoms of Pheochromcytoma
racing heartbeat, sweating, high blood pressure (think sympathetic things)
Dysautonomia
neuro degeneration of both sympathetic and parasympathetic components of the autonomic nervous system
known as grass sickness in horses, also happens in dogs and cats
Cause of Dysautonomia
no one really knows but speculated to be toxins or infection (botulism?)
Symptoms of Dysautonomia
loss of crucial bodily functions like swallowing, breathing, heartbeat, GI motility, etc.
Diabetic autonomic neuropathy
occurs in ~20% of diabetes patients
Parkinson’s disease
70-80% of those with Parkinson’s have ANS dysfunction (like dysautonomia in humans)
Multiple system atrophy
fatal neurodegenerative disorder with autonomic failure and mmotor impairment
Autonomic dysreflexia
cardiovascular disorder in patients with spinal cord injury