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Autonomic 2(1)

The document outlines the organization and function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. It details the anatomical locations, characteristics, neurotransmitters, and receptors associated with each division, as well as their opposing effects on various organs. Additionally, it describes the 'fight or flight' response, highlighting the physiological changes that occur during emergencies.

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3 views

Autonomic 2(1)

The document outlines the organization and function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. It details the anatomical locations, characteristics, neurotransmitters, and receptors associated with each division, as well as their opposing effects on various organs. Additionally, it describes the 'fight or flight' response, highlighting the physiological changes that occur during emergencies.

Uploaded by

netshoman1
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Physiology of The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The nervous system is generally organized as follows:


1- Central nervous system (CNS): - which is composed of:
A- Brain B- Spinal cord.
2- Peripheral nervous system (PNS): which is composed of:
A- Efferent nerves: - these are motor nerves, exiting from CNS to periphery (take information
from CNS).
These are composed of: -
1- Somatic nerves: which is supply skeletal muscles.
2- Autonomic nerves.
B- Afferent nerves: - these are sensory nerves, entering the CNS. (bring information to CNS).
These are composed of: -
1- Somatic sensory nerves: that transmit sensory information from skin, eye, etc. to the
CNS.
2- Visceral sensory nerves: that transmit information from visceral organs to the CNS.

*Autonomic nervous system (ANS):


The ANS has two sections:
1- Sympathetic division: - is called thoracolumbar division.
2- Parasympathetic division: - anatomically called craniosacral.

1- The sympathetic (thoracolumbar) division: -


The cell bodies of nerves of this division are located at the thoracic and lumbar portion of
spinal cord (starting from first thoracic to the 3 rd (in humans) or 4th in animals lumber
vertebrae, so that this division is named thoracolumbar.

• Characters of this division:

1- The axons of preganglionic nerves end on the cell bodies of postganglionic nerves at
the para vertebral sympathetic ganglionic chain (2 chains on each side of the vertebral
column. (ganglia: it is formed of masses from nerve tissues contain nerve cells bodies
and synapses and it located outside CNS)
2- The axons of postganglionic nerves terminate on the effector organs.
3- The axons of preganglionic nerves are short, while those of the postganglionic nerves
long.

2- The parasympathetic (craniosacral) division: -

The cell bodies of nerves of this division are located at the cranial and sacral portions of
the CNS, so that this division is named craniosacral.
The cranial nerves are :3rd, 7th ,9th, and 10th nerves of the sacral region originate from 1st to
4th sacral vertebrae.

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• Characters of this division:

1- The axons of preganglionic nerves end on the cell bodies of postganglionic nerves at 4
ganglia
A- Ciliary ganglion (to the eye).
B- Sphenopalatine ganglion (to lacrimal and nasal gland).
C- Sub maxillary ganglion (to sub maxillary and sub lingual glands).
D- Otic ganglion (to parotid gland).
2- The axons of the postganglionic nerves terminate very near or on the effector organs.
3- The axons of the preganglionic nerves are long, while those of the postganglionic nerves
are short.

* Chemical transmission in A.N.S.

Types of neurotransmitter (NTs) in the A.N.S.:


1- All preganglionic autonomic nerves (sympathetic and parasympathetic) release acetyl
choline (Ach) at their nerve endings before the ganglia. Therefore, they are named
cholinergic nerves that release Ach to excite the postganglionic nerves.
2- All parasympathetic postganglionic nerves release Ach to the effector organ, so that
they are also named cholinergic nerves.
3- Mast of the sympathetic postganglionic nerves release Norepinephrine (also named
noradrenalin) to the effector organ, so that are named adrenergic nerves.
4- Some of the sympathetic postganglionic nerves release Ach to the effector organs.
Therefore, they named sympathetic cholinergic nerves be anatomically they belong to
the sympathetic division but physiologically they release Ach.
5- These nerves include nerves to:
A- Sweat glands.
B- Blood vessels of skeletal muscles.
C- Blood vessels of external genitalia.

* Note: the adrenal gland belongs to the sympathetic division anatomically, the preganglionic
sympathetic nerve ends up directly on the adrenal medulla (without a ganglion) and release
Ach. In response to this, the adrenal medulla release norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine
(EP).

* Adrenal gland: is sympathetic ganglion in which the post ganglionic nerve without axons
therefore it secreting it's hormones directly to the blood

* Types of receptors of ANS:


The postganglionic autonomic nerves release their NTs that bind to various types of
autonomic receptors on the effector organs. The response depends on the type that is
stimulated.
There are two major classes of receptors:
1- Cholinergic receptors (which respond to Ach) there are 2 subtypes of cholinergic
receptors:

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A- Muscarinic cholinergic receptors: are stimulate by Ach and muscarine. they are found
on vascular smooth muscles, visceral smooth muscles and cardiac muscles.
These receptors are blocked by a tropine.
B- Nicotinic cholinergic receptors: are stimulate by Ach and nicotine. They are found in
skeletal muscles, CNS and cell bodies of postganglionic nerves. These receptors are
blocked by curare.
2- Adrenergic receptors (which respond to NE and EN.) They include 2 sub types:
A- Alpha (α) adrenergic receptors: have 2 type
1- α1 receptors: found on smooth muscles of visceral organs and vascular smooth muscle
2- α2 receptors: found on the nerve endings of the postganglionic fibers.
B- Beta adrenergic receptors: have 2 types
1- Beta1 receptors found on cardiac muscles.
2- Beta2 receptors found on vascular smooth muscles and visceral smooth muscles.

* The effect of sympathetic and parasympathetic:


Stimulation on various organs.
*Note: that usually the response of each branch is opposite to the response of the other.
e.g., the effect of sympathetic stimulation to the heart causes increased heart rate, while the
effect of parasympathetic stimulation causes decreased heart rate. This opposite effect is
causing a balance in the function of that organ.

* The fight and flight response or alarm reflex or emergency reflex:


This is a case of generalize increase in sympathetic effect and decrease parasympathetic
effect. It happens upon sudden exposure to an emergency. the increase sympathetic activity
causes:
1- Dilation of pupil of the eye (this is to let more light enter the eye to increase vision
ability).
2- Increased heart rate (tachycardia).
3- Increased blood pressure (due to vasoconstriction)
4- Cutaneous vasoconstriction and decrease blood flow to skin and visceral organs.
5- Increased glycogenolysis and Increase blood glucose to Increase metabolism of skeletal
muscles.
6- Increase alertness.
The effects 2,3 and 4 above lead to increase blood flow to skeletal muscles, so that the
animal or human can fight or flight. Similarly, the increased blood glucose will increase
the energy to the muscles.
All those six effects make the animal or human ready and alert to face an emergency
condition.

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