Important Terms Flashcards
Synapse
Junction between two nerve cells. When these junctions are outside the CNS (as in the autonomic nervous system) they are called GANGLIA
Neuroeffector Junction
Junction between nerve and cardiac cells, smooth muscle or exocrine gland cell (Do Not use for nerve to skeletal muscle junction)
Neuromuscular Junction
Somatic NS NOT Autonomic. Junction between somatic (motor) nerves and skeletal muscle
Muscarinic
Term used when referring to cholinoreceptive sites at the post-ganglionic parasympathetic neuroeffector junction
— Blocked by atropine
— Stimulated by acetylcholine, muscarine
Nicotinic
Term used when referring to the cholinoreceptive sites at either the Autonomic Ganglia or at the Skeletal muscle neuromuscular junction
— Ganglionic sites are Blocked by hexamethonium
— Neuromuscular sites are Blocked by tubocurarine
— BOTH are Stimulated by acetylcholine and nicotine
Sympathomimetic
Term used to describe a drug or action which is like the sympathetic neurotransmitter, Norepinephrine
— Mimics Norepinephrine
Parasympathomimetic
Term used to describe a drug or action which is like the parasympathomimetic neurotransmitter, Acetylcholine
Adrenergic
Term used when referring to neurons, neurotransmitters, drugs, receptors, or actions associated with the sympathetic post-ganglionic neuroeffector junction
— Associated with or similar to Norepinephrine
— Also referred to as Noradrenergic
Cholinergic
Term used when referring to sites, nerves, drugs, or receptors which are associated with the neurotransmitter, Acetylcholine
Anticholinesterase
Parasympathetic potentiator by inhibiting the enzymatic degradation of acetylcholine
Sympatholytic
Refers to blocking agents (antagonists) of norepinephrine receptor sites
Parasympatholytic
Refers to blocking agents (antagonists) of acetylcholine receptor sites
Neurotransmitter
A naturally occurring chemical contained in nerve terminals which effects a response when released
Somatic Nervous System
Connector Neuron is all enclosed in the spinal cord
No ganglia
Highly myelinated
Only Excitable (Can only cause muscle to contract)
Cut motor nerves, will paralyze muscle and muscle atrophies
Autonomic Nervous System
Connector neuron starts in the spinal cord and goes out of spinal cord to ganglia
Near effector organs (smooth muscle, glands, cardiac muscle)
UNmyelinated, slower conduction
Can be both excited and inhibited
Cut nerves to effector organs (post-ganglionic fibers) loose CNS control, but are Not paralyzed or atrophied
They have intrinsic capacity to control themselves
