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Autonomic Nervous System - Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (26)

  • Difference in sensory input between somatic and autonomic nervous systems
    Somatic sensory neurons receive input from special senses, general somatic senses, and proprioceptors. Autonomic sensory neurons receive input from special senses, general visceral senses, and general somatic senses.
  • Control of somatic vs autonomic nervous systems
    The somatic nervous system operates under conscious control, while the autonomic nervous system (ANS) operates without conscious control.
  • Motor neuron pathways in somatic vs autonomic nervous systems
    Somatic motor neurons extend directly from CNS to effector and release acetylcholine. ANS pathways have two motor neurons: preganglionic (releases acetylcholine) and postganglionic (releases acetylcholine or norepinephrine).
  • Effectors of somatic vs autonomic nervous systems
    Somatic nervous system effectors are skeletal muscles. ANS effectors include cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands.
  • Response to neurotransmitters in somatic vs autonomic nervous systems
    Somatic nervous system responses are always excitatory. ANS responses can be excitatory or inhibitory.
  • Two principal divisions of the autonomic nervous system
    The ANS is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.
  • Definition of dual innervation
    Organs receiving impulses from both sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers have dual innervation.
  • Characteristics of preganglionic and postganglionic neurons
    Preganglionic neurons are myelinated; postganglionic neurons are unmyelinated.
  • Location of preganglionic neuron cell bodies in sympathetic division
    Sympathetic preganglionic neuron cell bodies are in the lateral gray horns of the 12 thoracic and first 2-3 lumbar spinal cord segments (thoracolumbar outflow).
  • Location of preganglionic neuron cell bodies in parasympathetic division
    Parasympathetic preganglionic neuron cell bodies are in cranial nerve nuclei (III, VII, IX, X) and lateral gray horns of the 2nd to 4th sacral spinal cord segments (craniosacral outflow).
  • Types of autonomic ganglia
    Sympathetic trunk (paravertebral) ganglia, prevertebral (collateral) ganglia, and parasympathetic terminal ganglia near or inside visceral effectors.
  • Where do sympathetic preganglionic neurons synapse?
    Sympathetic preganglionic neurons synapse with postganglionic neurons in sympathetic trunk or prevertebral ganglia.
  • Where do parasympathetic preganglionic neurons synapse?
    Parasympathetic preganglionic neurons synapse with postganglionic neurons in terminal ganglia near or inside the effector.
  • Definition of cholinergic and adrenergic neurons
    Cholinergic neurons release acetylcholine (ACh). Adrenergic neurons release norepinephrine or epinephrine.
  • Which ANS fibers are cholinergic and which are adrenergic?
    All parasympathetic fibers are cholinergic. Sympathetic preganglionic fibers are cholinergic; sympathetic postganglionic fibers are adrenergic.
  • Types of cholinergic receptors
    Nicotinic and muscarinic receptors.
  • Types of adrenergic receptors
    Alpha and beta receptors.
  • Physiological effect of sympathetic stimulation compared to parasympathetic
    Sympathetic effects are longer-lasting and more widespread than parasympathetic effects.
  • Role of parasympathetic division
    Regulates activities that conserve and restore body energy; known as the energy conservation-restorative system.
  • Role of sympathetic division
    Prepares the body for emergency situations; known as the fight-or-flight response.
  • Sympathetic vs parasympathetic effects on heart rate and force
    Sympathetic increases heart rate and force; parasympathetic decreases heart rate and force.
  • Sympathetic vs parasympathetic effects on blood glucose
    Sympathetic increases glucose in bloodstream; parasympathetic decreases glucose in bloodstream.
  • Sympathetic vs parasympathetic effects on blood flow
    Sympathetic increases blood flow to skeletal muscles; parasympathetic increases blood flow to digestive organs.
  • Sympathetic vs parasympathetic effects on salivary gland secretion
    Sympathetic reduces salivary secretion; parasympathetic increases salivary secretion.
  • Sympathetic vs parasympathetic effects on lung bronchioles
    Sympathetic dilates bronchioles; parasympathetic constricts bronchioles.
  • Sympathetic vs parasympathetic effects on pupil size
    Sympathetic dilates pupils; parasympathetic constricts pupils.