Autonomics Flashcards
The functional unit of the autonomic nervous system is a ___-____ ___ pathway
two-neuron motor
ex: heart rate, sphincter tone, digestion
What is the reflex, regulatory role of the ANS?
homeostasis
This is the site of integration and control for many autonomic functions. It is also the origin of the neuroendocrine, hypothalamic-pituitary axis
hypothalamus
This nervous system is anatomically confined to the GI tract but it is intimately related to both sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the ANS.
enteric
Besides homeostasis, what else is the hypothalamus involved in?
emotional behavior and motivational drives
Temperature regulation is a complex process affected by both ____ and ____ ____ changes
hypothalamic; skin temperature
The ____ effects of changes in hypothalamic temperature include alterations in blood flow, sweat production, shivering, metabolism and posture
direct
Changes in skin temperature produce reflex effects which modulate the hypothalamic “set point”. What occurs at this set point?
point at which sweating or shivering will begin
A direct effect of osmolarity exists in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminals and subfornical organ which lack what?
blood-brain barrier
note: osmoreceptors in this area are extremely sensitive to osmolarity
Reflexy, mouth dryness stimulates thirst via the ______
hypothalamus
Input from sense organs and the neocortex influence a variety of specific hypothalamic and limbic areas to produce complex reflex changes such as?
fear, rage, grief, fight or flight
In regards to sexual behavior, a direct effect of circulating ____ and _____ in the anterior ventral area of the hypothalamus has been shown to stimulate aggressive-receptive behavior in non-human species
estrogens; androgens
True or false? All reflex effects are stimulated by the hypothalamus.
false; reflex effects are stimulated via all sensory systems although not all reflexes are mediated via the hypothalamus
The hypothalamus has direct influence over the _____ to control release of many hormones
pituitary
The hypothalamus sends excitatory and inhibitory signals to the pons and medulla which can control or override normal autonomic homeostatic mechanisms. ____ ____ signals can then modify control via either the hypothalamus or by influences on nuclei in the medulla or pons
peripheral “feedback”
micturition
a pontine micturition center coordinates emptying of the bladder which is otherwise an autonomic reflex.
The medulla is the site of ____ ____ ____ of the circulation.
final global integration
note: it contains several integrating centers that may interact with one another. They all receive information from peripheral receptors and cause reflex adjustments in heart rate and ultimately, blood pressure
In regards to the medulla, a ____ area controls vasoconstriction
vasomotor
In regards to the medulla, _____ and _____ areas are critical in control of heart rate and contractility
cardioinhibitory; cardioacceleratory
Other ANS functions integrated in the medulla include:
respiration, gagging, swallowing, coughing, sneezing, and vomiting
The parasympathetic outflow tracts are characterized by _____ preganglionic neurons and ____ postganglionic neurons
long; short
Where are most of the synapses in the parasympathetic system located?
on or in the target organ
Parasympathetic preganglionic nerves originate in 4 regions. Where does CN III project?
projects to ciliary ganglia and is responsible for lens accommodation and pupillary contraction
Parasympathetic preganglionic nerves originate in 4 regions. Where does CN VII project?
projects to lacrimal and salivary glands via pterygopalatine and submandibular ganglia
Parasympathetic preganglionic nerves originate in 4 regions. Where does CN IX project?
projects to the otic ganglion and parotid salivary gland
The dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus is the origin of CN X which innervates viscera where?
throughout thorax and upper abdomen
The pelvic nerves originating from S2,3,4 innervate the lower abdominal and pelvic viscera and contribute to the regulation of what?
micturition (bladder control), defecation, sexual functions
In regards to sympathetic outflow, signals from cells in the hypothalamus and brainstem descend the spinal cord in cells of the ____ _____ ____
intermediolateral cell column (IML)
Axons in the IML synapse with sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the thoracolumbar region. The sympathetic preganglionic fibers project in 3 ways. Describe.
- may synapse in adjoining chain ganglion (paravertebral projection)
- may extend up or down before synapsing (paravertebral projection)
- may pass outside the chain to their synapse (prevertebral projections)
Sympathetic preganglionic neurons originate where in the spinal cord?
between T1-L3
Describe the length, myelination status, and fiber type of sympathetic preganglionic neurons.
small, myelinated, B fibers
Ordinarily, sympathetic preganglionic fibers have conduction velocities of ___-___ m/sec
3-15
These are ganglia within the sympathetic chain which lie parallel to the spinal cord.
paravertebral ganglia
These ganglia lie outside the sympathetic chain and include the celiac, superior, and inferior mesenteric ganglia in the abdomen
prevertebral ganglia
Adrenal medullae behave like two giant sympathetic ganglia. Preganglionic fibers project directly to the adrenal gland where they synapse on ____ cells which release Epi and NE into the blood
chromaffin cells
Describe the length, myelination status, and fiber type of sympathetic postganglionic neurons
long, unmyelinated, C fibers
What is the postganglionic to pregnaglionic neurons ratio in the enteric nervous system?
10^5 : 1
note: one autonomic fiber can influence thousands of enteric fibers