OVERVIEW

Defined

1. Autonomic nervous system -

Somatic versus autonomic

1. Effectors

-a. Somatic -

-b. Autonomic -

2. Efferent pathway

-a. Somatic -

-b. Autonomic -

3. Neurotransmitter effects

-a. Somatic -

-b. Autonomic -

4. Overlap -

Autonomic nervous system: divisions

1. Parasympathetic division

-a. Digestion -

-b. Resting -

-c. Non-stressful times -

2. Sympathetic nervous system

-a. Flight or fight -

-b. Stress -

-c. Protection -

ANATOMY OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Parasympathetic (craniosacral) division

1. Fibers -

-a. Terminal (intramural) ganglion -

2. Cranial outflow -

3. Oculomotor nerve (III) -

-a. Ciliary ganglion -

4. Facial nerve (VII) -

-a. Pterygopalatine ganglion -

-b. Submandibular ganglion -

5. Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX) -

-a. Otic ganglion -

6. Trigeminal nerve (V) -

7. Vagus nerve (X) -

-a. Plexuses –

-b. Organs served –

8. Sacral outflow -

-a. Organs served –

9. Pelvic splanchnic nerves –

Sympathetic (thoracolumbar) division: preganglionic fibers

1. Cell bodies -

2. White rami communicantes -

3. Splanchnic nerves –

-a. Include –

-b. Area served –

Sympathetic (thoracolumbar) division: ganglia

1. Paravertebral (chain) ganglia -

-a. Sympathetic chain -

-b. Paravertebral pathway -

-c. Sympathetic trunk –

2. Prevertebral ganglia -

-a. Abdominal aortic plexus -

Sympathetic (thoracolumbar) division: postganglionic fibers

1. Gray rami communicantes -

-a. Unmyelinated –

-b. Spinal nerve -

-c. Sympathetic connection -

2. Prevertebral ganglia postganglionic axons -

-a Sympathetic connections -

Sympathetic (thoracolumbar) division: adrenal medulla

1. Thoracic splanchnic nerve –

2. Hormones released -

Visceral reflex arc

1. Visceral reflex arc –

2. Visceral sensory neurons

-a. Peripheral processes –

-b. Cell bodies -

3. Integration center -

4. Motor chain –

5. Referred pain

-a. Common pathways -

-b. Brain interpretation -

6. Stimuli -

AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM PHYSIOLOGY

Neurotransmitters

1. Acetylcholine

-a. Cholinergic fibers -

-b. Somatic axons -

-c. Preganglionic axons -

-d. Postganglionic parasympathetic axons –

2. Norepinephrine –

-a. Adrenergic fibers -

-b. Postganglionic sympathetic axons –

Cholinergic receptors

1. Cholinergic receptors –

2. Nicotinic receptors -

-a. Skeletal muscle -

-b. Postganglionic neurons -

-c. Adrenal medulla -

3. Muscarinic receptors -

-a. Parasympathetic target organs –

-b. Sympathetic target organs –

-c. Stimulatory -

-d. Inhibitory -

Adrenergic receptors

1. Adrenergic receptors -

-a. Alpha receptors -

-b. Beta 1 receptors -

-c. Beta 2 receptors -

Drug effects

1. Cholinergic drugs -

-a. Atropine –

2. Adrenergic drugs –

-a. Tricyclic antidepressants -

-b. Beta-blockers -

AUTONOMIC DIVISION INTERACTIONS

Antagonistic interactions

1. Notable organs -

2. Flight or fight response -

3. Resting –

Sympathetic and parasympathetic tone

1. Sympathetic (vasomotor) tone –

-a. Blood pressure -

2. Parasympathetic tone -

-a. Heart rate –

-b. Smooth muscle –

Cooperative effects

1. External genitalia

-a. Parasympathetic control –

-b. Sympathetic control -

Sympathetic division: unique roles

1. Unique roles -

2. Thermoregulation

-a. Heat -

-b. Sweat glands -

-c. Blood vessels -

-d. Errector pilli muscles -

3. Renin -

4. Metabolic effects

-a. Adrenal medulla –

-b. Body cells -

-c. Liver -

-d. Adipose tissue -

-e. Reticular activating system -

Localized versus diffuse effects

1. Parasympathetic division -

-a. Synapses -

-b. Acetylcholine -

2. Sympathetic division -

-a. Synapses -

-b. Norepinephrine -

-c. G protein linked receptor -

-d. Adrenal medulla –

MISCELLANEOUS

Control of autonomic functioning

1. Reticular formation -

2. Medullary centers -

3. Pons -

4. Midbrain -

5. Spinal cord reflexes -

6. Hypothalamus -

-a. Reticular formation –

-b. Hypothalamic centers -

-c. Limbic system -

3. Cortical control

-a. Subconscious level -

-b. Limbic system -

Homeostatic imbalances

1. Hypertension -

2. Raynaud’s disease -

-a. Gangrene -

-b. Sympathectomy –

3. Mass reflex reaction -

-a. Autonomic reflex –

-b. Somatic effects –

-c. Arterial blood pressure –

-d. Other effects –

4. Hirschsprung’s disease -

-a. Congenital megacolon -

5. Aging –

-a. Constipation -

-b. Dry eyes -

-c. Orthostatic hypertension -