The Autonomic Nervous System and Higher-Order Functions

Question 1

Autonomic nervous system

Answer 1

Adjusts our basic life support systems without conscious control

Question 2

ANS

Answer 2

Coordinates cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive functions

Question 3

Preganglionic neurons

Answer 3

• CNS

- Send axons to synapse on ganglionic neurons in autonomic ganglia outside the CNS

Question 4

Sympathetic division

Answer 4

• Fight or flight
• Made of preganglionic fibres from T1-L2, ganglionic neurons in ganglia near vertebral column and neurons in adrenal glands

Question 5

Parasympathetic division

Answer 5

• Rest and digest

- Made of preganglionic fibres leaving the brain and sacral segments

Question 6

2 types of sympathetic ganglia

Answer 6

Sympathetic chain ganglia and collateral ganglia

Question 7

Sympathetic chain ganglia

Answer 7

Anterior roots in spinal segments in T1-L2 give rise to myelinated white ramus communicans which in turn leads to the sympathetic chain ganglia

Question 8

Postganglionic fibres

Answer 8

Target structures in the body wall and limbs rejoin the spinal nerves and reach their destinations by way of the posterior and anterior rami

Question 9

Splanchnic nerves

Answer 9

Formed from preganglionic fibres that innervate the collateral ganglia

Question 10

Celiac ganglion

Answer 10

Innervates the stomach, liver, gallblader, pancreas, and spleen

Question 11

Superior mesenteric ganglion

Answer 11

Innervates small intenstine and initial segments of the large intestine

Question 12

Inferior mesenteric ganglion

Answer 12

Innervates the kidneys, urinary bladder, terminal portions of the large intestine and the sex organs

Question 13

Adrenal medulla

Answer 13

Preganglionic fibres entering the adrenal gland synapse within the adrenal medulla

Question 14

Sympathetic activation

Answer 14

• In crisis, the entire sympathetic division responds
• Increased alertness, energy and euphoria, increased cardiovascular and respiratory activites, elevation in muscle tone, mobilisation of energy reserves

Question 15

Stimulation of sympathetic division

Answer 15

Secretion of:
- ACH or norepinephrine (NE) at specific locations
OR
- Epinephrine (E) and NE into the general circulation

Question 16

Varicosities

Answer 16

Sympathetic ganglionic neurons end in telodendria studded with varicositites containing neurotransmitters

Question 17

2 types of sympathetic receptors

Answer 17

Alpha and beta receptors

Question 18

Types of postganlgionic fibres

Answer 18

Adrenergic, cholinergic, nitroxidergic

Question 19

Sympathetic division

Answer 19

2 sympathetic chain ganglia
3 collateral ganglia
2 adrenal medullae

Question 20

Parasympathetic division

Answer 20

Preganglionic neurons in the brainstem and sacral segments of the spinal cord, and ganglionic neurons in peripheral ganglia located within or next to target organs

Question 21

Intramural

Answer 21

Within

Question 22

Terminal

Answer 22

Next to

Question 23

What do preganglionic fibres leave the brain as?

Answer 23

Components of cranial nerves III, VII, IX, and X

Question 24

Pelvic nerves

Answer 24

Preganglionic fibres leaving sacral segments form pelvic nerves

Question 25

Parasympathetic division

Answer 25

Relaxation, food processing, and energy absorption

Question 26

What do all parasympathetic preganglionic and postganglionic fibres release?

Answer 26

ACh

Question 27

2 types of postsynaptic membranes ACh receptors

Answer 27

Muscarinic receptors: produces longer lasting effect

Nicotinic receptors: less long lasting

Question 28

Parasympathetic division

Answer 28

Innervates areas serviced by cranial nerves and organs in the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

Question 29

Dual innervation

Answer 29

Receive input from both divisions

Question 30

Autonomic plexuses

Answer 30

Cardiac, pulmonary, esophageal, celiac, inferior mesenteric, and hypogastric plexuses

Question 31

Autonomic tone

Answer 31

Even when stimuli are absent, autonomic motor neurons show a resting level of action

Question 32

Visceral reflex arcs

Answer 32

Perform the simplest function of the ANS

Question 33

2 types of visceral reflex arcs

Answer 33

Long reflexes: with interneurons

Short reflexes: bypassing the CNS

Question 34

Parasympathetic reflexes

Answer 34

Govern respiration, cardiovascular functions, and other visceral activities

Question 35

What performs higher-order functions?

Answer 35

1. Performed by the cerebral cortex and involve complex interactions among areas of the cerebral cortex and between the cortex and other areas of the brain
2. Involve conscious and unconscious information processing
3. Subject to modification and adjustment over time

Question 36

Memory consolidation

Answer 36

Conversion from short-term to long-term memory

Question 37

Amnesia

Answer 37

Loss of memory as a result of disease or trauma

Question 38

Deep sleep

Answer 38

• Slow wave, non-REM sleep

- Body relaxes and cerebral cortex activity is low

Question 39

REM sleep

Answer 39

Active dreaming occurs

Question 40

Reticular activating system (RAS)

Answer 40

• Network in the reticular formation

- Most important to arousal and the maintenance of consciousness

Question 41

Age related changes

Answer 41

• Reduction in brain size and weight
• Reduction in neuron numbers
• Decrease in blood flow to the brain
• Changes in the synaptic organisation of the brain
• Intracellular and extracellular changes in CNS neurons