Autonomic Nervous System, Lect 5

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Definition
The portion of the
nervous system that
controls most visceral
functions of the body is
called the autonomic
nervous system (ANS).
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Definition
Or it is the motor nervous
system that controls
glands, cardiac muscle,
and smooth muscle.
Definition
It is also called the visceral
motor system to
distinguish it from the
somatic motor system that
controls the skeletal
muscles.
The primary target organs
of the ANS
The viscera of the thoracic
and abdominal cavities and
some structures of the body
wall, including cutaneous
blood vessels, sweat glands,
and piloerector muscles.
Control
Autonomic literally
means “self-
governed.”.
The ANS usually carries out its
actions involuntarily, without our
conscious intent or awareness, in
contrast to the voluntary nature of
Control
This voluntary involuntary distinction is
not, however, as clear-cut as it once
seemed. Some skeletal muscle
responses are quite involuntary, such
as the somatic reflexes, and some
skeletal muscles are difficult or
impossible to control, such as the
middle-ear
15:23
muscles.
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Control
On the other hand,
therapeutic uses of
biofeedback show that some
people can learn to
voluntarily control such
visceral functions as blood
Visceral effectors
Visceral effectors do not
depend on the ANS to
function, but only to
adjust their activity to the
body’s changing needs.
Visceral effectors
The heart, for example, goes
on beating even if all
autonomic nerves to it are
severed, but the ANS
modulates (adjusts) the
heart rate in conditions of
rest or exercise.
Visceral effectors
If the somatic nerves to a
skeletal muscle are
severed, the muscle
exhibits flaccid paralysis—
it no longer functions.
Visceral effectors
But if the autonomic nerves
to cardiac or smooth
muscle are severed, the
muscle exhibits
exaggerated responses
(denervation
striking characteristics of
the
The rapidity and intensity.
ANS
For instance,
 Within 3 to 5 seconds it can increase the heart rate to
twice normal.
 Within 10 to 15 seconds the arterial pressure can be
doubled.
 The arterial pressure can be decreased low enough
within 10 to 15 seconds to cause fainting.
 Sweating can begin within seconds, and the urinary
bladder may empty involuntarily, also within seconds.
General Organization of
the ANS
The autonomic nervous system is ACTIVATED
mainly by centers located in the spinal cord,
brain stem, and hypothalamus.
Also, portions of the cerebral cortex, especially
of the limbic cortex,
cortex can transmit signals to
the lower centers and in this way influence
autonomic control.
the ANS
The autonomic nervous system also often
operates by means of VISCERAL REFLEXES.
REFLEXES
That is, subconscious sensory signals
from a visceral organ can enter the
autonomic ganglia, the brain stem, or
the hypothalamus and then return
subconscious reflex responses directly
back to the visceral organ to control its
activities. drsherwanshal@gmail.com
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the ANS
The EFFERENT autonomic signals are
transmitted to the various organs of the body
through two major subdivisions called
The sympathetic nervous
system.
The parasympathetic nervous
system.
system
Physiologic Anatomy of the
Sympathetic NS
Each sympathetic pathway from the
cord to the stimulated tissue is
composed of two neurons,
neurons a
preganglionic neuron and a
postganglionic neuron,
neuron in contrast
to only a single neuron in the skeletal
motor pathway.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
 Parasympathetic fibers leave the CNS
through cranial nerves III, VII, IX, and X.
X
 Additional parasympathetic fibers leave
the lowermost part of the spinal cord through
the second and third sacral spinal nerves
and occasionally the first and fourth sacral
nerves.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
About 75 per cent of all
parasympathetic nerve fibers are in
the vagus nerves (cranial nerve X),
passing to the entire thoracic and
abdominal regions of the body.
Therefore, a physiologist speaking of
the parasympathetic nervous system
often thinks mainly of the two vagus
Neurotransmitters in the
♦ Sympathetic NS
ANS
♦ Preganglionic neuron neurotransmitter: Ach
♦ Postganglionic neuron neurotransmitter:

Norepinephrine, Epinephrine
♦ Parasympathetic NS
♦ Preganglionic neuron neurotransmitter: Ach
♦ Postganglionic neuron neurotransmitter: Ach

Sympathetic
Nervous System
Parasympathetic
Nervous System
Comparison of Somatic and ANS
Comparison of
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic NS
Effects of Sympathetic and
Parasympathetic NS
Parasympathetic NS
Parasympathetic NS
Parasympathetic NS

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15:23 drsherwanshal@gmail.

♦ Postganglionic neuron neurotransmitter:

♦ Postganglionic neuron neurotransmitter: Ach

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