FoM:L7 - Autonomic Nervous System

Question 1

What is a significant difference between autonomic and somatic nervous system?

Answer 1

• somatic; one neuron
• autonomic; 2 neurons that synapse in ganglion

Question 2

What is the difference between the neurons in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 2

SNS: short pre, long post-ganglionic neurons
PNS: long pre, short post ganglionic neurons

Question 3

What is the thoracolumbar outflow?

Answer 3

outflow of short pre-ganglionic neurons (from lateral horns of spinal cord) between T1-L3

Question 3

How many cervical paravertebral ganglia are there?

Answer 3

3 (superior, middle and inferior)

Question 4

What are splanchnic nerves?

Answer 4

nerves that innervate organs,

Question 5

What is the parietal distribution of the SNS?

Answer 5

• body wall
• paravertebral ganglia
• sweat, goosebumps, vasodilation

Question 6

What is the visceral distribution of the SNS?

Answer 6

• organs
• para and pre vertebral ganglia

Question 7

How do sympathetic nervous fibres enter/leave chain ganglia?

Answer 7

• enter via white rami (at T1-L3)
• potentially ascends or descends
• synapses
• leaves through grey

Question 8

What is the craniosacral outlflow?

Answer 8

• Cranial portion from brainstem (CN III, VII, IX, X)
• sacral portion from grey matter of S2-S4

Question 9

How is the PNS distributed?

Answer 9

• visceral
• no supply to limbs or body wall

Question 10

Outline visceral sensory

Answer 10

• afferent carry sensory info to CNS
• contribute to autonomic reflex arc
• visceral reflexes via parasympathetic
• visceral pain via sympathetic