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The Autonomic Nervous System

Regulate activity of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle & certain glands Structures involved
general visceral afferent neurons general visceral efferent neurons integration center within the brain

Receives input from limbic system and other regions of the cerebrum
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Autonomic versus Somatic NS


Somatic nervous system
consciously perceived sensations excitation of skeletal muscle one neuron connects CNS to organ

Autonomic nervous system


unconsciously perceived visceral sensations involuntary inhibition or excitation of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle or glandular secretion two neurons needed to connect CNS to organ
preganglionic and postganglionic neurons
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Autonomic versus Somatic NS

The ANS pathway is a 2 neuron pathway while the Somatic NS only contains one neuron.
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Basic Anatomy of ANS

Preganglionic neuron
cell body in brain or spinal cord axon is myelinated type B fiber that extends to autonomic ganglion

Postganglionic neuron
cell body lies outside the CNS in an autonomic ganglion axon is unmyelinated type C fiber that terminates in a visceral effector
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Divisions of the ANS


2 major divisions
parasympathetic sympathetic

Dual innervation
one speeds up organ one slows down organ Sympathetic NS increases heart rate Parasympathetic NS decreases heart rate
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Sources of Dual Innervation


Sympathetic (thoracolumbar) division
preganglionic cell bodies in thoracic and first 2 lumbar segments of spinal cord

Parasympathetic (craniosacral) division


preganglionic cell bodies in nuclei of 4 cranial nerves and the sacral spinal cord
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Locations of Autonomic Ganglia


Sympathetic Ganglia
trunk (chain) ganglia near vertebral bodies prevertebral ganglia near large blood vessel in gut
celiac superior mesenteric inferior mesenteric

Parasympathetic Ganglia
terminal ganglia in wall of organ

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Autonomic Plexuses
Cardiac plexus Pulmonary plexus Celiac (solar) plexus Superior mesenteric Inferior mesenteric Hypogastric

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Structures of Sympathetic NS
Preganglionic cell bodies at T1 to L2 Rami communicantes
white ramus = myelinated = preganglionic fibers gray ramus = unmyelinated = postganglionic fibers

Postganglionic cell bodies


sympathetic chain ganglia along the spinal column prevertebral ganglia at a distance from spinal cord
celiac ganglion superior mesenteric ganglion inferior mesenteric ganglion
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Ganglia & Plexuses of Sympathetic NS

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Pathways of Sympathetic Fibers


Spinal nerve route
out same level

Sympathetic chain route


up chain & out spinal n

Collateral ganglion route


out splanchnic n to collateral ganglion

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Organs Innervated by Sympathetic NS


Structures innervated by each spinal nerve
sweat glands, arrector pili mm., blood vessels to skin & skeletal mm.

Thoracic & cranial plexuses supply:


heart, lungs,esophagus & thoracic blood vessels plexus around carotid artery to head structures

Splanchnic nerves to prevertebral ganglia supply:


GI tract from stomach to rectum, urinary & reproductive organs
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Circuitry of Sympathetic NS
Divergence = each preganglionic cell synapses on many postganglionic cells Mass activation due to divergence
multiple target organs fight or flight response explained

Adrenal gland - medulla


modified cluster of postganglionic cell bodies that release epinephrine & norepinephrine into blood
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Anatomy of Parasympathetic NS
Preganglionic cell bodies found in
4 cranial nerve nuclei in brainstem S2 to S4 spinal cord

Postganglionic cell bodies very near or in the wall of the target organ in a terminal ganglia
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Parasympathetic Cranial Nerves


Oculomotor nerve
ciliary ganglion in orbit ciliary muscle & pupillary constrictor muscle inside eyeball

Facial nerve
pterygopalatine and submandibular ganglions supply tears, salivary & nasal secretions

Glossopharyngeal
otic ganglion supplies parotid salivary gland

Vagus nerve
many brs supply heart, pulmonary and GI tract as far as the midpoint of the colon
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Parasympathetic Sacral Nerve Fibers


Form pelvic splanchnic nerves Preganglionic fibers end on terminal ganglia in walls of target organs Innervate smooth muscle and glands in colon, ureters, bladder & reproductive organs
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ANS Neurotransmitters
Classified as either cholinergic or adrenergic neurons based upon the neurotransmitter released Adrenergic

Cholinergic

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Cholinergic Neurons and Receptors


Cholinergic neurons release acetylcholine from preganglionic neurons & from parasympathetic postganglionic neurons

Excites or inhibits depending upon receptor type and organ involved Nicotinic receptors are found on dendrites & cell bodies of autonomic NS cells and at NMJ Muscarinic receptors are found on plasma membranes of all parasympathetic effectors
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Adrenergic Neurons and Receptors


Adrenergic neurons release norepinephrine (NE) )
from postganglionic sympathetic neurons only Excites or inhibits organs depending on receptors Alpha1 and Beta1 receptors produce excitation Alpha2 and Beta2 receptors cause inhibition Beta3 receptors(brown fat) increase thermogenesis

NE lingers at the synapse until enzymatically inactivated by monoamine oxidase (MAO) or catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)
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Physiological Effects of the ANS


Most body organs receive dual innervation
innervation by both sympathetic & parasympathetic

Hypothalamus regulates balance (tone) between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity levels Some organs have only sympathetic innervation
sweat glands, adrenal medulla, arrector pili mm & many blood vessels

controlled by regulation of the tone of the sympathetic system


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Sympathetic Responses
Dominance by the sympathetic system is caused by physical or emotional stress -- E situations
emergency, embarrassment, excitement, exercise

Alarm reaction = flight or fight response


dilation of pupils increase of heart rate, force of contraction & BP decrease in blood flow to nonessential organs increase in blood flow to skeletal & cardiac muscle airways dilate & respiratory rate increases blood glucose level increase

Long lasting due to lingering of NE in synaptic gap and release of norepinephrine by the adrenal gland
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Parasympathetic Responses
Enhance rest-and-digest activities Mechanisms that help conserve and restore body energy during times of rest Normally dominant over sympathetic impulses SLUDD type responses = salivation, lacrimation,
urination, digestion & defecation and 3 decreases--decreased HR, diameter of airways and diameter of pupil Paradoxical fear when there is no escape route or no way to win
causes massive activation of parasympathetic division loss of control over urination and defecation
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Autonomic or Visceral Reflexes


Autonomic reflexes occur over autonomic reflex arcs. Components of that reflex arc:
sensory receptor sensory neuron integrating center pre & postganglionic motor neurons visceral effectors

Unconscious sensations and responses


changes in blood pressure, digestive functions etc filling & emptying of bladder or defecation
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Control of Autonomic NS
Not aware of autonomic responses because control center is in lower regions of the brain Hypothalamus is major control center
input: emotions and visceral sensory information
smell, taste, temperature, osmolarity of blood, etc

output: to nuclei in brainstem and spinal cord posterior & lateral portions control sympathetic NS
increase heart rate, inhibit GI tract, increase temperature

anterior & medial portions control parasympathetic NS


decrease in heart rate, lower blood pressure, increased GI tract secretion and mobility
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Autonomic Dysreflexia
Exaggerated response of sympathetic NS in cases of spinal cord injury above T6 Certain sensory impulses trigger mass stimulation of sympathetic nerves below the injury Result
vasoconstriction which elevates blood pressure parasympathetic NS tries to compensate by slowing heart rate & dilating blood vessels above the injury pounding headaches, sweating warm skin above the injury and cool dry skin below can cause seizures, strokes & heart attacks
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