Unit 3 - Autonomic Nervous System Flashcards
true or false: the autonomic nervous system carries out involuntary functions
true
what are the three key functions of the autonomic nervous system?
- maintenance of homeostasis
- activation of energy mechanisms (fight or flight)
- housekeeping functions (digestion)
what is the function of afferent neurons?
relay sensory information to the CNS
what is the function of efferent neurons?
relay motor commands from the CNS to target tissues
the efferent division of the autonomic nervous system is split into what two parts?
- somatic motor
- automatic motor
how many cranial nerves are there?
12
true or false: cranial nerves contain only efferent fibers
false. they have both afferent and efferent components
how many pairs of spinal nerves are there?
31
true or false: spinal nerves contain only afferent fibers
false. they have both afferent and efferent components
- single neuron
- single target
- single synapse
- always excitatory
these are characteristics of neurons from the:
somatic nervous system
- 2 neuron chain connected by a synapse
- multiple targets
- excitatory and inhibitory effects
these are characteristics of neurons from the:
autonomic nervous system
a cluster of neuron cell bodies outside the CNS
ganglion
in the parasympathetic nervous system, there is a ______ preganglionic fiber, and a ______ postganglionic fiber
long, short
in the sympathetic nervous system, there is a ______ preganglionic fiber, and a ______ postganglionic fiber?
short, long
the sympathetic nervous system is located in:
the thoracic and lumbar regions
a set of paired chains of interconnected ganglia that lie on either side of the vertebral coloumn
sympathetic trunk/chain
the sympathetic trunk is also known as the:
paravertebral ganglion
sympathetic ganglia located in front of the vertebral column, outside the symathetic chain, close to the viscera and arteries
collateral ganglion
in the sympathetic division of the ANS, a signal has three neural pathways it can travel through after passing through the ventral root. what are those three pathways?
1) synapse immediately with a postganglionic neuron in sympathetic ganglion
2) travel up or down the chain and synapse in ganglia at other levels
3) pass through chain without synapsing, continue to collateral ganglion as splanchnic nerve
two branches which connect a paravertebral ganglion to a spinal nerve
communicating rami
a branch of the sympathetic pathways by which a myelinated preganglionic fiber leaves the spinal nerve and enters a sympathetic ganglion
white rami
a branch of the sympathetic pathways by which unmyelinated postganglionic fibers leave the ganglion to re-enter the spinal nerve
grey rami
what effect does the sympathetic nervous system have on the eyes?
dilation of pupils; adjustment for far vision
what effect does the sympathetic nervous system have on the cardiovascular system?
increased heart rate and force of contraction
what effect does the sympathetic nervous system have on most of the arterioles and veins?
constriction
what effect does the sympathetic nervous system have on the skeletal muscle?
either constriction or dilation, depending on what neurotransmitter is released
what effect does the sympathetic nervous system have on the lungs?
dilation of bronchioles and inhibition of mucus secretion
what effect does the sympathetic nervous system have on the digestive tract?
decreased motility and inhibition of degestive secretions
what effect does the sympathetic nervous system have on the adrenal medulla?
stimulation of epinephrine and norepinephrine secretion
what effect does the sympathetic nervous system have on the sweat glands?
stimulation of secretion (most - thermoregulation)