CH 16 - Autonomic Nervous System Flashcards
Describe the somatic nervous system (SNS) operations.
Consciously controlled
Effector: skeletal muscle
Integrative center: cerebral cortex
Describe the autonomic nervous system (ANS) operations.
Unconsciously controlled
Effectors: smooth/cardiac muscle, glands, adipose
Integrative center: hypothalamus
What is the enteric nervous system (ENS)?
Where is it found?
“The brains of the gut”
Found along length of GI tract and within the walls of the GI tract/pancreas/gallbladder
What are the sensory neuron receptors of the enteric nervous system (ENS)?
Chemoreceptors- monitor chemical changes of GI tract
Mechanoreceptors- monitor stretching of walls
What do enteric motor neurons control?
Contraction of the smooth muscles of GI tract to move food along
Secretions of GI tract organs
Activity of GI tract endocrine cells
What is a short reflex?
Complex visceral reflexes that are locally coordinated and function independently of the CNS
What is a long reflex?
Reflexes that involve the brain and that are influenced by either the sympathetic or parasympathetic divisions
2 Visceral motor neurons would synapse with the ENS interneuron
Preganglionic fibers
Axons of preganglionic neurons
*Type B fibers
Postganglionic fibers
Axons of postganglionic neurons
*Type C fibers
Autonomic ganglia
Where preganglionic and postganglionic neurons synapse
*Contains postganglionic neuron cell bodies
Cholinergic neurons
Neurons that release/exocytosis acetylcholine (ACh) into the synaptic cleft
Cholinergic receptors
Receptors that ACh binds to
Either nicotinic or muscarinic
Adrenergic neurons
Neurons that release/exocytosis norepinephrine (NE) to specific target organs
Adrenergic receptors
Receptors that NE (or epinephrin) binds to
Either alpha (NE potent) or beta (epi potent)
What are the divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
Sympathetic (thoracolumbar) division
Parasympathetic (craniosacral) division
How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions interact?
- Dual innervation- opposing effects (excitatory vs inhibitory)
- They work independently- they control different things
- Cooperative effects- each division controls different stages of the same process; working together
Where are the cell bodies of sympathetic preganglionic neurons located?
Within lateral grey horns between segments T1-L2 of the spinal cord
Where are the cell bodies of sympathetic postganglionic neurons located?
Within sympathetic chain ganglia (paravertebral ganglia), collateral ganglia (prevertebral ganglia), or adrenal medulla
What is found within the thoracolumbar outflow?
Axons of sympathetic preganglionic neurons
What is the rule about sympathetic preganglionic and postganglionic fibers?
Preganglionic fibers are short
Postganglionic fibers are long
What is the exception about sympathetic preganglionic and postganglionic fibers?
The adrenal medulla
Preganglionic fiber is long
What are the major effects of the sympathetic division?
Increased:
- mental alertness
- metabolic rate
- respiratory rate
- heart rate & force of contraction
- blood pressure
- muscle tone
Decreased:
- digestive/urinary functions
- salivation
Energized feeling
Energy reserves activated
Sweat glands activated
Pupils dilated
Glycogenolysis
The release of glucose from the liver
Glycogen becomes glucose
Lipolysis
The breakdown of triglyceride reserves from adipocytes
Triglycerides become fatty acids and glycerol