Lecture 19: Nerves & the Urogenital Organs: an unusual component of the autonomic nervous system Flashcards
What does the ANS innervate?
All organs and tissues except skeletal muscle
What are autonomic nerves involved in?
Tissue talk - can lead to cancer spread
What defines a nerve as sympathetic or parasympathetic?
Topographical anatomy
Where are sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves from?
Thoracolumbar and craniosacral regions
Where do no autonomic pathways originate?
Cervical cord or lumbar enlargement
What is the fight or flight response?
Mass activation of many sympathetic pathways at once to overcome or escape from a major threat (increased HR, blood flow to skeletal muscle, decreased blood flow to gut and relaxation of airways
What provides autonomic supply to pelvis?
Inferior hypogastric plexus
Which gender has more neurons in the pelvic ganglia and why?
Males - internal reproductive organs have a higher density of innervation
What is important to note about neural regeneration after pelvic surgery?
Incredibly difficult not to damage pelvic nerves in surgery, need to improve anatomy to understand impact of injury.
What is important to note about electroceuticals?
Replacement for pharmaceuticals, activating inhibited nerve pathways
What is important to note about returning control of voiding after spinal cord injury?
Disconnected spinal cords - organs develop additional problems - need to regrow nerve connections
