(Cervical) Autonomic Nervous System Flashcards
What are the main categories of the nervous system?
- Central
- Peripheral
- Autonomic (Part of peripheral nervous system)
- Sympathetic (ANS)
- Parasympathetic (ANS)
What does the CNS consist of?
Brain & Spinal cord
What does the PNS consist of?
Motor (efferent) & Sensory (afferent) neurons
What is the structure and organisation of the autonomic nervous system?
Structured into sympathetic & parasympathetic
Sympathetic - Fight or flight system (Increase in stress, fear, anxiety)
Parasympathetic - Rest & digest system (increase when sedentary)
What are cholinergic & adrenergic fibres?
Cholinergic fibres - neurons that release acetylcholine
Adrenergic fibres - neurons that release noradrenaline
Describe the position of the superior cervical ganglion + what level it branches to, and where?
Positioned with Internal & external carotid arteries. Branches via C1-C4 to pharynx, superior cardiac nerves
Describe the position of the middle cervical ganglion + what level it branches to, and where?
Branch off via C5, C6 to become middle cardiac nerves
Describe the position of the inferior cervical ganglion + what level it branches to, and where?
Travels with vertebral artery (forming plexus) & branches off via C7-T1. Inferior cardiac nerves
What do cervical ganglia regulate sympathetic innervation of?
Eyes (pupil dilation)
Eyelids
Lacrimal glands
carotid body
salivary glands
sweat glands
What is Horner’s syndrome and what are its clinical features?
Damage to cervical sympathetic trunk resulting in absence of sympathetically stimulated functions on same side of head
- Constriction of pupil
- Drooping of superior eyelid
- Vasodilation & absence of sweating on face/neck
Where is the location of the ciliary ganglia?
Between optic nerve & lateral rectus muscle (posterior to eye)
Where is the location of the pterygopalatine ganglion?
Within the pterygopalatine fossa
Where is the location of the submandibular ganglion?
Suspended from the lingual nerve, close to submandibular gland
