Peripheral Nervous System Flashcards
Discuss properties of A-beta fibers
A-beta fibers are myelinated second largest fibers responsible for proprioception, touch, and pressure
Discuss properties of A-alpha fibers
A-alpha fibers are myelinated large fibers with fast conduction speeds.
The motor (efferent) control muscle length and force of contraction
The sensory (afferent) control proprioceptin
Discuss the properties of a-gamma fibers
A-gamma fibers are myelinated 3rd largest fibers responsible for skeletal muscle tone
Discuss properties of a-delta fibers
A-delta fibers are myelinated small fibers responsible for temperature and sharp prickling pain sensation
Discuss B fibers
B fibers are myelinated preganglionic autonomic neurons responsible for various autonomic functions
First fibers to be blocked by LA
Discuss sC fibers
sC fibers are small unmyelinated postganglionic sympathetic neurons responsible for various autonomic functions
Discuss dC fibers
dC fibers are small unmyelinated afferent (sensory) neurons responsible for temperature and throbbing pain
List the different nerve fiber type in order of size and conduction speed.
A-alpha, A-beta, A-gamma, A-delta, B, sC, dC
Nerves with LARGER diameter conduct AP faster than fibers with smaller diameter
Myelinated fibers conduct AP faster than unmyelinated fibers
Discuss the anatomy of the sympathetic nervous system
The sympathetic thoracholumbar nervous system arises from T1-L2(3) and the cardio accelerator fibers are from T1-T4
Most sympathetic presynaptic neurons synaps with post ganglionic fibers at the paravertebral ganglia formed by the inferior cervical and first thoracic ganglia
What are the S/S if Horners syndrome?
Ipsilateral miosis, ptosis, flushing, increased skin temperature, enophathalamos, and nasal congestion due to stellate ganglion blockade.
Discuss where sympathetic preganglionic fibers arise and how the intersect the white and gray rami communicans
Sympathetic preganglionic fibers arise from the intermediolateral horn of the spinal cord. All Sympathetic PREganglionic fibers pass though the white rami, while some but not all POSTganglionic fibers pass through the grey rami. PREganglionic white rami are distributed to spinal nerves from T1-L2. Gray rami are distributed to ALL spinal nerves from the ganglia. Gray rami allows coordinated massive discharge of the sympathetic nervous system
Describe the synthesis of epinephrine
Tyrosine -> dopa -> dopamine -> norepinephrine -> epinephrine (only in adrenal medulla)
Norepinephrine is stored in presynaptic vesicles. In the adrenal medulla NE is 20% and Epi is 80% of totals storage
Describe events of sympathetic neurotransission
1) AP arrives at sympathetic nerve terminal
2) Depolarization opens Ca+ channels and ca+ rushes into cell.
3) Ca+ unites with calmodulin to cause NE filled vesicles to merge with cell membrane and spill NE into synaptic cleft
4) presynaptic alpha 2 receptors activated by NE cause a decrease in NE release (neg feed back loop)
5) NE diffuses down concentration gradient to post synaptic membrane receptors
6) adrenergic receptor activation causes ion channels to open, or activation of adenylate cyclase
7) NE diffuses away from receptors (1st step in termination) NE is actively reuptaken inside presynaptic terminal (80%) small amounts are metabolized by MAO in the synaptic cleft, and small amounts diffuse into the blood stream and are metabolized by COMT
Sympathetic nervous system activation acts to:
Increase HR, CO, BP, blood glucose, dilate bronchial tree, shunt blood away from intestine and viscera to supply skeletal muscle
Flight or flight
Discuss location and activity of alpha-1 receptors
Alpha-1 receptors are found a variety of tissues (vascular smooth muscle, glands) and are inervated by sympathetic postganglionic neurons. Stimulation is usually excitatory
Arterial and venous constriction, increased preload, SV, CO,and BP
Discuss location and actively of alpha-2 receptors
Found on PREsymaptic nerve terminals of sympathetic postganglionic neurons, but also found in post synaptic membranes of brainstem and peripheral tissue.
stimulation of sympathetic postganglionic, presynaptic nerve varicosities inhibits the release of NE (neg feed back loop). Stimulation of postsynaptic receptors in the brainstem inhibits sympathetic outflow.
Stimulation of receptors in the substantial gelatinosa of the spinal cord promotes analgesia
Discuss location and function of beta-1 receptos
found in heart, kidney, and adipose tissue. Stimulation is excitatory –> increased HR, CO, contractility –> increased CO and BP
Discuss location and function of beta-2 receptors
Found in smooth muscle and in glandular tissue. Stimulation is inhibitory –> vasodilitation, bronchodilation, relaxation of pregnant uterus, glycogenolysis, and gluconeogenisis.
beta-2 receptor stimulation promotes hyperglycemia, and hypokalemia
Discuss the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone System
85% of resting BP Is controlled by renin.
In response to low BP the kidney releases renin –> converting angiotensinogen ( produced in the liver) into angiotensin-I, in the lungs ACE converts angiotensin-I to angiotensin-II –> causes vasoconstriction, and release of aldosterone from adrenal gland, aldosterone promotes K+ excretion in exchange for Na+ retention, Na+ retention results in fluid expansion and combined with vasoconstriction in increased BP
Phenylephrine
Alpha-1 +++
Clonidine
Minimal alpha-1 with strong alpha-2
Isoproterenol
Strong beta-1 and beta-2
Doubutamine
Strong beta-1
Terbutaline
Minimal beta-1 strong beta-2