Neurophysiology Flashcards
autonomic nervous system
= set of pathways to and from the CNS that innervate and regulate
- smooth muscle
- cardiac muscle
- glands
three divisions of the ANS
- sympathetic
- parasympathetic
- enteric nervous systems
parasympathetic NS features
- origin of preganglionic nerve
- preganglionic axon length
- nt to autonomic ganglia
- receptor type at ganglia
- postganglionic axon length
- nt to effector organ
- receptor type at effector organ
- origin of preganglionic nerve = CN 3, 7, 9, 10; spinal segments S2-S4 (craniosacral)
- preganglionic axon length: long
- nt to postganglionic: Acetylcholine (ACh)
- receptor type at ganglia: nicotinic
- postganglionic axon length: short
- nt to effector organ: ACh
- receptor type at effector organ: muscarinic
sympathetic NS features
- origin of preganglionic nerve
- preganglionic axon length
- nt to autonomic ganglia
- receptor type at ganglia
- postganglionic axon length
- nt to effector organ
- receptor type at effector organ
- origin of preganglionic nerve = T1-12, L1-3 (thoracolumbar)
- preganglionic axon length: short (terminates in the paravertebral chain of ganglia)
- nt to postganglionic: ACh
- receptor type at ganglia: nicotinic
- postganglionic axon length: long
- nt to effector organ: norepinephrine (except sweat glands, which use ACh)
- receptor type at effector organ: alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, beta-2
effector organs of the somatic nervous system
skeletal muscle
neurotransmitter of the somatic NS
ACh
receptor type of the somatic NS
nicotinic
adrenal medulla and special anatomy
= specialized ganglion of the sympathetic nervous system; pregangllionic fibers synapse directly on chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla–> secretion of epinephrine (80%) and norepinephrine (20%)
pheochromocytoma
= tumor of the adrenal medulla that secrete excessive amts of catecholamines and is associated with increased excretion of 3-methyoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid (VMA)
adrenergic nerve fiber
= a neuron for which the neurotransmitter is either epinephrine, norepinephrine, or dopamine; usually norepinephrine
cholinergic neuron
= a neuron for which the neurotransmitter is acetylcholine (ACh); present in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic NSs
receptors types of the ANS
- adrenergic (nt = norepinephrine)
2. cholinergic (nt = ACh)
special parasympathetic receptors of the GIT
= nonadrenergic, noncholinergic receptors of some postganglionic parasympathetic neurons in the GIT, which release
- substance P
- vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)
- nitric oxide (NO)
types of adrenergic receptors
- alpha-1
- alpha-2
- beta-1
- beta-2
two broad categories of cholinergic receptors (cholinoreceptors) and specific types of cholinergic receptors
categories of cholinergic receptors
- nicotinic receptors
- muscarinic receptors
specific types of cholinergic receptors
- Nm (N1)
- Nn (N2)
- M1
- M2
- M3
alpha-1 receptors
- location
- result of activation
- nt sensitivity
- G protein
- mechanism
- location = 1. smooth muscle (vascular smooth muscle of the skin and splanchnic regions, GIT, and bladder sphincters), 2. radial muscle of the iris
- result of activation = excitation (contraction/constriction)
- nt sensitivity = equally responsive to norepi and epi but ONLY norepi released from adrenergic neurons is present in high enough concentrations to activate alpha-1 receptors
- G protein = Gq
- mechanism = Gq–> stimulation of phospholipase C–> increase IP3 and intracellular Ca2+
alpha-2 receptors
- location
- result of activation
- nt sensitivity*
- G protein
- mechanism
- location: 1. walls of GIT (heteroreceptors), 2. sympathetic postganglionic nerve terminals (autoreceptors), platelets, fat cells
- result of activation: inhibition (relaxation/dilation)
- nt sensitivity*
- G protein: Gi
- mechanism: Gi–>inhibition of adenylate cyclase–> decrease in cAMP
beta-1 receptors
- location
- result of activation
- nt sensitivity
- G protein
- mechanism
- location: Heart (1. SA node, 2. AV node, 3. ventricular muscle)
- result of activation: excitation (increase HR, increase contraction velocity, increase contractility)
- nt sensitivity: equally sensitive to norepi and epi; more sensitive than alpha-1 receptors
- G protein: Gs
- mechanism: Gs–>activate adenylate cyclase–>increase cAMP
beta-2 receptors
- location
- result of activation
- nt sensitivity
- G protein
- mechanism
- location: smooth muscle (1. bronchial smooth muscle, 2. vascular smooth muscle of skeletal muscle, 3. walls of GIT and bladder)
- result of activation: relaxation (dilation of bronchioles, dilation of vascular smooth muscle, relaxation of the bladder wall)
- nt sensitivity: more sensitive to epi than norepi (epi>norepi); more sensitive to epi than alpha-1 receptors
- G protein: Gs
- mechanism: Gs–>activate adenylate cyclase–>increase cAMP
Nm (N1) nicotinic cholinergic receptors
- location
- result of activation
- nt sensitivity
- G protein
- mechanism
- location: skeletal muscle neuromuscular junction (somatic nervous system)
- result of activation: excitation
- nt: ACh or nicotine
- G protein: n/a
- mechanism: opening Na/K channels (because nicotinic ACh receptors are also ion channels for Na and K)
Nn (N2) nicotinic cholinergic receptors
- location
- result of activation
- nt sensitivity
- G protein
- mechanism
- location: autonomic ganglia (of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic NS); adrenal medulla
- result of activation: excitation
- n: ACh or nicotine
- G protein: n/a
- mechanism: opening Na/K channels
M1 muscarinic cholinergic receptors
- location
- result of activation
- nt sensitivity
- G protein
- mechanism
- location: CNS
- result of activation
- nt: ACh or muscarine
- G protein: Gq
- mechanism: Gq–>increase phospholipase C activity–>increase IP3/Ca
M2 muscarinic cholinergic receptors
- location
- result of activation
- nt sensitivity
- G protein
- mechanism
- location: heart
- result of activation: inhibition (decreased HR, decreased conduction velocity of the AV node)
- nt: ACh or muscarine
- G protein: Gi
- mechanism: Gi–>inhibit adenylate cyclase–>decrease cAMP–>opening of K channels–>slowing of the rate of spontaneous phase 4 depolarization–>decreased heart rate
M3 muscarinic cholinergic receptors
- location
- result of activation
- nt sensitivity
- G protein
- mechanism
- location: glands, smooth muscle
- result of activation: excitatory (increased GI motility, increased secretion)
- nt: ACh or muscarine
- G protein: Gq
- mechanism: Gq–>increase phospholipase C activity–>increase IP3/Ca
hexametonium
= ganglionic blocker in the autonomic ganglia but NOT at the neuromuscular junction (i.e. NOT the Nm (N1) nicotinic cholinergic receptors
atropine
= anticholinergic by blocking muscarinic cholinergic receptors
alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonists (pro-sympathetic = sympathomimetic)
- norepinephrine
2. phenylephrine
alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists (anti-sympathetic = sympatholytic; parasympathomimetic)
- phenoxybenzamine
- phentolamine
- prazosin
alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists (sympathomimetic)
clonidine
alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonists (sympatholytic; parasympathomimetic)
yohimbine
beta-1 adrenergic receptor agonists (sympathomimetic)
- norepinephrine
- isoproterenol
- dobutamine
beta-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist (sympatholytic; parasympathomimetic)
- propranolol
2. metroprolol
beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonists (sympathomimetic)
- isoproterenol
2. albuterol
beta-2 adrenergic receptor antagonists (sympatholytic; parasympathomimetic)
- propranolol
2. butoxamine
nicotinic cholinergic receptor agonists
- ACh
- nicotine
- carbachol
nicotinic cholinergic receptor antagonists
- curare (NMJ N1 (Nm) receptors
2. hexamethonium (ganglionic N2 (Nn) receptors
muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonists
- ACh
- muscarine
- carbachol
muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonists
- atropine
Table 2.4
Effect of the ANS on organ systems - REVIEW
locations of ANS centers within the brainstem and hypothalamus
- medulla - vasomotor center, respiratory center, swallowing/coughing/vomiting centers
- pons - pneumotaxic center
- midbrain - micturition center
- hypothalamus - temperature regulation center; thirst and food intake regulatory centers
major divisions of the CNS
- spinal cord
- brain stem (medulla, pons, midbrain)
- cerebellum
- diencephalon (thalamus, hypothalamus)
- cerebral hemispheres (cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, hippocampus, amygdala)
dendrites
= components that arise from the cell body and receive information from adjacent neurons
glial cells
= support cells for neurons
types of glial cells
- astrocytes
- oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells
- microglial cells
astrocyte functions
- supply metabolic fuels to neurons
- secrete trophic factors
- synthesize neurotransmitters
oligodendrocyte function
synthesize myelin in the CNS
Schwann cell function
synthesize myelin in the PNS
microglial cell function
proliferate following neuronal injury and serve as scavengers for cellular debris
sensory receptors
= specialized epithelial cells or neurons that transduce environmental signals into neuronal signals
environmental signals that can be detected by sensory receptors
- mechanical force
- light
- sound
- chemicals
- temperature
4 types of sensory transducers (general categories)
- mechanoreceptors
- photoreceptors
- chemoreceptors
- nociceptors
5 types of mechanoreceptors
- pacinian corpuscles
- joint receptors
- stretch receptors in muscle
- hair cells in auditory and vestibular systems
- baroreceptors in carotid sinus
2 types of photoreceptors
- rods
2. cones of the retina
4 types of chemoreceptors
- olfactory receptors
- taste receptors
- osmoreceptors
- carotid body O2 receptors
sensation of nociceptors
extremes in pain and temperature
A-alpha fibers
- example
- sensory fiber types and examples
- diameter
- conduction velocity
- example: large alpha-motoneurons
- sensory fiber types and examples
1. Ia sensory fibers (e.g. muscle spindle afferents)
2. Ib sensory fibers (e.g. Golgi tendon organs) - diameter: largest
- conduction velocity: fastest (because largest diameter)
A-beta fibers
- example
- sensory fiber types and examples
- diameter
- conduction velocity
- example: touch, pressure
- sensory fiber types and examples: II (e.g. secondary afferents of muscle spindles; touch and pressure)
- diameter: medium
- conduction velocity: medium
A-gamma
- example
- sensory fiber types and examples
- diameter
- conduction velocity
- example: gamma-motoneurons to muscle spindles (intrafusal fibers)
- sensory fiber types and examples: n/a
- diameter: medium
- conduction velocity: medium
A-delta
- example
- sensory fiber types and examples
- diameter
- conduction velocity
- example: touch, pressure, temperature, pain
- sensory fiber types and examples: III (e.g. touch, pressure, fast pain, and temperature)
- diameter: small
- conduction velocity: medium
B fibers
- example
- diameter
- conduction velocity
- example: preganglionic autonomic fibers
- diameter: small
- conduction velocity: medium
C fibers
- example
- sensory fiber types and examples
- diameter
- conduction velocity
- example: slow pain; postganglionic autonomic fibers
- sensory fiber types and examples: IV (e.g. unmyelinated pain and temperature fibers)
- diameter: smallest
- conduction velocity: slowest (because they have the smallest diameter and they are unmyelinated)
receptive field
= an area of the body that, when stimulated, changes the firing rate of a sensory neuron
excitatory receptive field
= the firing rate of the sensory neuron is increased
inhibitory receptive field
= the firing rate of the sensory neuron is decreased
steps in sensory transduction
- stimulus arrives at the sensory receptor
- ion channels are opened in the sensory receptor, allowing current to flow (usually inward current–>depolarization of the sensory receptor; EXCEPTION = photoreceptor - light–>DECREASED inward current–>hyperpolarization)
- change in membrane potential produced by the stimulus = receptor potential (or generator potential)
- if the receptor potential is large enough, the membrane potential will exceed threshold–>action potential in the sensory neuron
important point about receptor potentials
they are NOT action potentials; receptor potentials are graded in size depending on the size of the stimulus; if the receptor potential is depolarizing, it brings the membrane potential closer to threshold
two types of adaptations of sensory receptors
- slowly adapting (tonic) receptors
2. rapidly adapting (phasic) receptors
examples of slowly adapting (tonic) receptors
- muscle spindle receptors
- pressure receptors
- slow pain receptors
features of slowly adapting (tonic) receptors
- respond repetitively to prolonged stimulus
2. detect a steady stimulus
examples of rapidly adapting (phasic) receptors
- pacinian corpuscles
2. light touch
features of rapidly adapting (phasic) receptors
- decline in action potential frequency with time in response to a constant stimulus
- primarily detect onset and offset of a stimulus
general sensory pathway from sensory receptor to cerebral cortex
- sensory receptor activated by environmental stimuli–>transduce the stimulus into electrical energy (i.e. receptor potential
- first-order neurons
- second-order neurons
- third-order neurons
- fourth-order neurons in the appropriate sensory area of the cerebral cortex
1st-order neurons
= the primary afferent neurons that receive the transduced signal and send info to the CNS; cell bodies are located in the dorsal root or spinal cord ganglia
2nd-order neurons
- location
- function
- location = spinal cord or brainstem
- function = receive information from one or more primary afferent neurons in relay nuclei and transmit it to the thalamus; **axons of 2nd order neurons may cross midline in a relay nucleus in the spinal cord before they ascend to the thalamus–>THEREFORE, sensory information originating on one side of the body ascends to the CONTRALATERAL thalamus
3rd-order neurons
- location
- function
- location = the relay nuclei of the thalamus
- function = direct
4th-order neurons
- location
- function
- location = cerebral cortex
- function = receives information of the stimulus and forms conscious proprioception
four senses of the somatosensory system
- touch
- movement
- temperature
- pain
two pathways of the somatosensory system
- dorsal column system
2. anterolateral system
dorsal column system
- function
- fiber type
- course
- function: processes sensations of 1. fine touch, 2. pressure, 3. two-point discrimination, 4. vibration, 5. proprioception
- fiber type: group II fibers
- course: primary afferent neurons have cell bodies in the dorsal root; their axons ascend ipsilaterally to the nucleus gracilis and nucleus cuneatus of the medulla–>2nd orrder neurons cross midline and ascend to the contralateral thalamus where they synapse on 3rd order neurons–>3rd order neurons ascend to the somatosensory cortex, where they synapse on 4th order neurons
anterolateral system
- function
- fiber types
- course
- function: processes sensations of 1. temperature, 2. pain, 3. light touch
- fiber type: group III and IV fibers (terminate on dorsal horn)
- course: 2nd order neurons cross the midline to the anterolateral quadrant of the spinal cord–>ascend to the contralateral thalamus where they synapse on 3rd order neurons–>3rd order neurons ascend to the somatosensory cortex, where they synapse on 4th order neurons
sensation within the thalamus
is for the CONTRALATERAL side of the body; arranged somatotopically
four types of mechanoreceptors for touch and pressure
- pacinian corpuscle
- Meissner corpuscle
- Ruffini corpuscle
- Merkel disk
Pacinian corpuscle
- description
- sensation encoded
- adaptation
- description: onion-like structures in the SQ skin (surrounding unmyelinated nerve endings)
- sensation encoded: vibration, tapping
- adaptation: rapidly adapting
Meissner corpuscle
- description
- sensation encoded
- adaptation
- description: present in nonhairy skin
- sensation encoded: velocity
- adaptation: rapidly adapting
Ruffini corpuscle
- description
- sensation encoded
- adaptation
- description: encapsulated
- sensation encoded: pressure
- adaptation: slow adapting
Merkel disk
- description
- sensation encoded
- adaptation
- description: transducer is on epithelial cells
- sensation encoded: location
- adaptation: slowly adapting
largest areas of the sensory homunculus
- face
- hands
- fingers
i. e. where precise localization is important
pain (nociceptors)
- receptors
- neurotransmitter
- receptors = free nerve endings in the skin, muscle, and viscera
- neurotransmitters for nociceptors = substance P
fast pain fibers
- fiber type
- features
- fiber type: group III fibers
- features: rapid onset and offset; localized
slow pain fibers
- fiber type
- features
- fiber type: C fibers
- features: aching, burning, throbbing that is poorly localized
referred pain
= pain of visceral origin that is referred to sites on the skin and follows the dermatome rule; innervated by nerves that arise from the same segment of the spinal cord
diopters definition
= the reciprocal of the distance
emmetropia
= normal; light focuses on the retina
hyperopia
= farsighted; light focuses behind the retina and is corrected with a convex lens
myopia
= nearsighted; light focuses in front of the retina and is corrected with a biconcave lens
astigmatism
= curvature of the lens is not uniform and is corrected with a cylindrical lens
presbyopia
= a result of loss of the accommodation power of the lens that occurs with age; the near point moves farther from the eye and is corrected with a convex lens
near point
= the closest point on which one can focus by accommodation of the lens
listed layers of the retina
- pigmented epithelial cells
- receptor cells (rods and cones)
- bipolar cells
- horizontal and amacrine cells
- ganglion cells
pigmented epithelial cell function
- absorb stray light and prevent scatter
2. convert 11-cis retinal to all-trans retinal
blind spot
= the optic disc where there are no rods or cones
rods
- sensitivity to light
- acuity
- dark adaptation
- color vision
- sensitivity to light: sensitive to low-intensity light; adapted for night vision
- acuity: lower visual acuity; not present in fovea
- dark adaptation: rods adapt later
- color vision: no