Lecture 48: Pelvic Visceral Nervous System

Question 1

pathway of pain from gonads: sympathetic

Answer 1

gonads –> gonadal periarterial plexus –>cranial mesenteric ganglion –> thoracic AP splanchnic nerves –> paravertebral ganglion –> white ramus –> ventral ramus –> mixed nerve –> DRG –> dorsal root –> dorsal horn

Question 2

pain and non pain for hindgut and pelvis follows what pathway

Answer 2

parasympathetic

Question 3

2 autonomic plexuses in male and female: pelvis

Answer 3

vesical plexus
rectal plexus

Question 4

vesical plexus: sympathetic function

Answer 4

maintain contraction of internal urethral sphincter to inhibit urination

Question 5

vesical plexus: parasympathetic function

Answer 5

inhibit contraction of internal urethral sphincter to allow urination

Question 6

rectal plexus: sympathetic function

Answer 6

maintain contraction of internal anal sphincter to prevent defecation

Question 7

rectal plexus: parasympathetic function

Answer 7

inhibit contraction of internal anal sphincter to allow defecation

Question 8

unique autonomic plexus in males

Answer 8

prostatic

Question 9

prostatic plexus: sympathetic functions (3)

Answer 9

cause EJACULATION and vasoconstriction
peristalsis of ductus deferens
contract prostate gland

Question 10

prostatic plexus: parasympathetic function

Answer 10

relaxation of smooth muscle and vasodilation to allow for phallic ERECTION

Question 11

Which 2 nervous systems are involved in erection and ejaculation

Answer 11

visceral
somatic

Question 12

where is the erectile tissue in females (2)

Answer 12

crus of the clitoris
bulb of the vestibule

Question 13

what allows blood to bypass capillaries so erectile tissues remain flaccid/relaxed

Answer 13

AV shunt

Question 14

AV shunt: open vs closed (sympathetic and parasympathetic levels)

Answer 14

Closed if: parasympathetics are HIGH, sympathetics are LOW
open if: sympathetics are HIGH, parasympathetics are LOW

Question 15

if the AV shunt is closed, what happens to blood

Answer 15

trapped in phallus = ERECTION

Question 16

if the AV shunt is open, what happens to blood

Answer 16

leaves phallus = EJACULATION

Question 17

which muscle in females traps male during tying

Answer 17

constrictor vestibulae

Question 18

constrictor vestibular is equivalent to what muscle in males

Answer 18

ischiocavernosus

Question 19

constrictor vulva function

Answer 19

open vulva

Question 20

constrictor vulva equivalent muscle in males

Answer 20

bulbospongiosus - release sperm and urine