Control of Heart Function Flashcards
What components of the autonomic nervous system are found in the medulla?
Cardio-Regulatory centre and vasomotor centres
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do to the heart?
‘Rest & digest’
Lowers heart rate (HR) – decreases the slope of phase 4
Always active
What does the sympathetic nervous system do to the heart?
‘fight or flight’
Increases HR (chronotropy) – increases the slope of phase
Increases force of contraction (inotropy) – increases Ca2+ dynamics
Only active in certain situations
What does the sympathetic nervous system do to the renal system?
Increases activity
Decreases glomerular filtration
Decreases Na+ excretion and increases blood volume
Increases blood pressure
How is blood volume detected?
Venous volume receptors
What else does the sympathetic nervous system do to the renal system?
Increases renin secretion
Increases angiotensin II production
What does angiotensin do?
Potent vasoconstrictor
Increases blood pressure
How is blood pressure detected?
Arterial baroreceptor
Where are volume sensors in the heart?
Large pulmonary vessels
Atria
Right ventricle
How can volume sensors in the cardiopulmonary circuit control the heart?
send signals though glossopharyngeal & vagus nerves
Decrease in filling Decreases baroreceptor firing
Activated sympathetic nerve (SNS) activity
Distention leads to increased baroreceptor firing
Reduces SNS activity
How can the arterial circuit control the heart?
Pressure sensors: send signals though glossopharyngeal & vagus nerves
Decrease in pressure Decreased baroreceptor firing Increased SNS activity
Increase in pressure
Increased baroreceptor firing
Decreased SNS activity
What comprise the autonomic nervous system?
Parasympathetic
Sympathetic
What are the main features of the parasympathetic nervous system?
rest and digest’
Pre-ganglionic fibres use ACh as neurotransmitter
PNS post ganglionic NT = ACh
PNS is important for controlling the heart rate
What are the main features of the sympathetic nervous system?
‘fight or flight’
Pre-ganglionic fibres use ACh as their neurotransmitter
SNS post ganglionic NT = NA
SNS is important for controlling the circulation
Where is the vasomotor centre?
bilaterally in reticular substance of medulla & lower third of pons
What is the vasomotor centre comprised of?
Vasoconstrictor (pressor) area
Vasodilator (depressor) area
Cardio-regulatory inhibitory area
Where does the VMC transmit impulses?
Transmits impulses distally through spinal cord to almost all blood vessels
What does the VMC do?
Lateral portions of VMC controls heart activity by influencing heart rate and contractility
Medial portion of VMC transmits signals via vagus nerve to heart that tend to decrease heart rate.
How is the VMC controlled>
Many higher centers of the brain such as the hypothalamus can exert powerful excitatory or inhibitory effects on the VMC.
How is the sympathetic innervation in the heart involved in control?
Increases activity of SAN
Cyclic AMP activated by beta-1 receptors
Regulates different ion channels that control heart rate and force of contraction
How is the parasympathetic innervation in the heart involved in control?
Decreases activity of SAN
Cyclic AMP activated by beta-1 receptors
Regulates different ion channels that control heart rate and force of contraction