Autonomic Nervous System

Dr. R. Periasamy
Dept of Health Science.
Aksum University
 Nervous system
2 kg
12 Pairs
3% of Body mass
100 billion (1011) neurons
31 Pairs

100 million neurons

Sensory function

Integrative function

Motor function
 Information Processing
• Nervous systems process information in three
stages
– Sensory input, integration, and motor output

Sensory input

Integration
Sensor

Motor output

Effector
Figure 48.3 Peripheral nervous Central nervous
system (PNS) system (CNS)
 Overview of nervous system

The nervous system that controls most visceral functions of

the body is called the autonomic nervous system
 Central nervous system

Somatic or sensory Somatic motor Neuron Autonomic sensory Autonomic motor

Neurons neurons neurons

Autonomic sensory Sympathetic and

Somatic or sensory
receptors Parasympathetic Division
receptors

Voluntary action Involuntary action

Acetylcholine Acetylcholine Or
Norepinephrine
Smooth muscle
Skeletal muscle
Cardiac muscle
Glands

Somatic nervous system Autonomic nervous system

 Autonomic nervous system
• Most autonomous functions are involuntary but a number of
ANS actions can control with some degree of conscious.

– Eg- Breathing, Swallowing and sexual arousal.

• From visceral organs and blood vessels through autonomic

sensory neurons impulse propagate into CNS.
• Integrating centers in the central nervous system.
• From CNS, autonomic motor neurons propagate to smooth
muscle and cardiac muscle to regulating the activity.
 Autonomic sensory neurons
• Sensory neurons convey input from receptors of
somatic senses and special sense.
– Neurons are associated with interoceptors.

• Sensory receptors located in blood vessels and

visceral organs, monitor internal environment.
– Chemoreceptor's that monitor blood CO2
– Mechanoreceptors that detect stretch of blood vessels.
– Baroreceptors detect change of pressure in arteries.
 Autonomic motor neurons
• Regulate visceral activities by either increasing or decreasing
ongoing activities in cardiac muscle, smooth muscle and glands.
– Changes in the diameter of pupils.
– Dilation and constriction of blood vessels.
– Rate of heartbeat.
• Consist of two motor neurons in series
• First neuron extend from CNS to autonomic ganglion.
– Preganglionic neurons – Myelinated type B.
• Second neuron from autonomic ganglion to smooth muscles.
– Postganglionic neuron – Unmyelinated type C.
 Neuron Structure
• Most of a neuron’s organelles
– Are located in the cell body
Dendrites

Cell body

Nucleus
Synapse
Signal
Axon direction
Axon hillock

Presynaptic cell Postsynaptic cell

Myelin sheath

Synaptic
Figure 48.5
terminals
 Motor neurons
• The motor part of the ANS consists of three divisions.
• 1. Sympathetic division.
– Increased alertness and metabolic activities in order to prepare body for emergency situation
“fight and flight”.

• 2. Parasympathetic division.
– Parasympathetic division takes care of “rest-and-digest” activities. Activities conserve and
restore body energy during times of rest.

• 3. Enteric division.
• Control the digestive function of GI tract.

• Example. Most organs have dual innervations

1. Sympathetic nerves increases heart rate.
2. Parasympathetic nerves decreases heart rate .
Somatic Vs Autonomic Nervous system
 Components of ANS
• Preganglionic neurons
– First of the motor neuron - myelinated
– Start from brain or spinal cord end with autonomic ganglia.
• Autonomic ganglia
– Connects the preganglionic and postganglionic neurons
• Postganglionic neurons
– Second of the motor neuron - unmyelinated
– Cell body and dendrites are located in an autonomic
ganglion end with visceral effector.
 Preganglionic Neurons
• Sympathetic division is called Thoracolumbar division.
– Cell bodies in 12 thoracic segments and first three lumbar
segments of spinal cord.
– Axons of preganglionic neurons are known as thoracolumbar
outflow
• Parasympathetic division is called Craniosacral division.
– Cell bodies in first four cranial nerves in brain stem (III, VII, IX and
X) and in second to fourth sacral segments of the spinal cord.
– Axons of preganglionic neurons are known as carniosacral
outflow.
Sympathetic division
 Autonomic Ganglia
• Three major groups ganglia.

• Two groups for sympathetic ganglia.

– Sites of synapses between pre and postganglionic sympathetic neurons.
• 1. Sympathetic trunk ganglia
– Vertebral chain ganglia or Paravertebral ganglia.
– Preganglionic axons are short and postganglionic axons innervate organs above diaphragm.
• 2. Prevertebral ganglia.
– Postganglionic axons innervate organs below the diaphragm.
– Three major ganglions .
– 1. Celiac ganglion 2. Superior mesentric ganglion 3. Inferior mesentric ganglion.

• One group for Parasympathetic ganglia.

– Site of synapses between pre and postganglionic neurons called terminal or intramural
ganglia.
– Preganglionic neurons are longer than sympathetic preganglionic neurons.
Parasympathetic division
 Autonomic Plexuses
• In thorax, abdomen and pelvis, axons of both sympathetic and
parasympathetic neurons form tangled networks.
• Autonomic plexuses in thorax (two).
– Cardiac plexus, which supplies heart.
– Pulmonary plexus, which supplies bronchial tree.
• Autonomic plexuses in abdomen (three).
– Celiac plexus is largest autonomic plexus and surrounds celiac trunk.
– Superior mesenteric plexus supplies small intestine and proximal
colon.
– Inferior mesenteric plexus supplies distal colon and rectum.
• Autonomic plexuses in pelvis.
– Renal plexus supplies renal arteries within kidneys and ureters.
 Postganglionic neurons
• A single sympathetic preganglionic fiber has many
axon collaterals (branches) and may synapse with
20 or more postganglionic neurons.
• Many sympathetic responses affect almost the
entire body simultaneously.
• After exiting their ganglia, the postganglionic axons
typically terminate in several visceral effectors.
 Horner’s syndrome
• Sympathetic innervation to one side of the face is lost
due to an inherited mutation, an injury, or a disease.
• That affects sympathetic outflow through the
superior cervical ganglion.
• Symptoms occur on the affected side and include
– 1. Ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid).
– 2. Miosis (constricted pupil).
– 3. Anhidrosis (lack of sweating).
 Types of neurons based on
Neurotransmitters
• Cholinergic neurons release the acetylcholine.
– Preganglionic and postganglionic neurons of
Parasympathetic nerves.
– Preganglionic neurons of sympathetic nerves.
– Postganglionic neurons for sweat glands of sympathetic
nerves.
• Adrenergic neurons release norepinephrine or
noradrenalin.
– Most sympathetic postganglionic neurons are adrenergic.
Parasympathetic neurotransmitters
Sympathetic neurotransmitters
 Two Types of Acetylcholine receptors
• Two types of cholinergic receptors.
• 1. Nicotinic Receptors
– Both sympathetic and parasympathetic postganglionic neurons.
– Motor end plate at neuromuscular junction.
– Chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla and neuromuscular junction.
• 2. Muscarinic Receptors
– Smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glands innervated by
parasympathetic postganglionic axons.
– Sweat glands receive innervations from cholinergic sympathetic
postganglionic neurons.
 Action of Receptors
• Activation of nicotinic receptors by ACh causes depolarization.
– Thus excitation of postsynaptic cell, postganglionic neuron, an
autonomic effector or skeletal muscle fiber.

• Activation of muscarinic receptors by Ach causes

depolarization and sometimes cause hyperpolarization.
– Depending on which particular cell bears muscarinic receptors.
• For example,
– Binding of ACh to muscarinic receptors inhibits (relaxes) smooth
muscle sphincters in GI tract.
– By contrast, ACh excites muscarinic receptors in smooth muscle
fibers in circular muscles of iris of eye, causing them to contract.
 Adrenergic Receptors
– Adrenergic receptors bind both norepinephrine and epinephrine.
• The two main types of adrenergic receptors.
• 1. alpha (α)receptors
– α1 and α2 receptors.
• 2. beta (β) receptors.
– β1, β2 and β3 receptors.

• Mechanism of action.
– Activation of α 1 and β1 receptors generally produces excitation.
– Activation of α 2 and β 2 receptors causes inhibition of effector tissues.
– β3 receptors are present only on cells of brown adipose tissue, where
their activation causes thermogenesis (heat production).
 Two types of Adrenergic receptors
Alpha (α) receptors Major location Effect of activation

α1 receptor Blood vessels that serve salivary Vasoconstriction,

glands, skin and eye Dilation of pupil
α2 receptor Smooth muscle fibers in some Vasodilation and
blood vessels and pancreatic cells Increased insulin secreation.

Beta (β) receptors

β1 receptor Cardiac muscle fibers. Increase heart rate

Posterior pituitary. Secrete ADH
β2 receptor Smooth muscle airways Dilation of air way
blood vessels that serve heart Vasodilation
β3 receptor Brown adipose tissue Thermogenesis
 Agonist and Antagonist
• Agonist is a substance that binds and activates a receptor.
– Phenylephrine, an adrenergic agonist at α1 receptors, is a common
ingredient in cold and sinus medications.
– Constricts blood vessels in nasal mucosa, drug reduces production
of mucus, thus relieving nasal congestion.
• Antagonist is a substance that binds to and blocks a receptor.
– Administration of propranolol for hypertension.
– The desired effects of propranolol are due to its blockade of β1
receptors—namely, decreased heart rate and force of contraction
and a consequent decrease in blood pressure
Autonomic nervous system
 Function of sympathetic division
• "fight or flight“ response.
– Physical or emotional stress, Vigorous physical activity
– Rapid production of ATP.
• Exercise, Emergency, Excitement and
Embarrassment.
– Dilation of pupil
– Dilates bronchioles of the lung, which allows for greater
alveolar oxygen exchange.
– Increase heart rate and blood pressure.
 Function of sympathetic division
• Dilation and increased blood flow in skeletal muscles,
cardiac muscle, liver and adipose tissue.

• Increased lipolysis and glycongenolysis.

•
• Constriction of arterioles in kidney and GI Tract.

• Slow muscular movements of GI tract and digestive

secretions.
 Sympathetic division
• Effectiveness of sympathetic function.
1. Postganglionic axons diverge more extensively,
many tissues are activated simultaneously.
2. Norepinephrine available in synaptic cleft for a
longer period than acetylcholine.
3. Epinephrine and Norepinephrine intensify and
prolong the responses and catabolized in liver.
 Parasympathetic nervous system
– Promotes "rest and digest" or “feed and breed” response.
– Calming of nerves return to regular function and enhances
digestion.
– Dilates blood vessels leading to the GI tract, increasing
blood flow.
– Stimulates salivary gland secretion and accelerates
peristalsis.
– Stimulates sexual arousal and involved in erection of
genitals.
 Function of parasympathetic division
• Conserve and restore body energy during times of rest and
recovery.
• Responses reduce body functions that support physical activity.
• Simply called as SLUDD
• 1. Salivation 2. lacrimation 3. Urination
• 4. Digestion 5. Defecation
• Three decreases
• Decreased heart rate, diameter of airways
(bronchoconstriction) and diameter (constriction) of pupils
 Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Divisions

Have antagonistic effects on target organs

Parasympathetic division Sympathetic division
Action on target organs: Action on target organs:

Constricts pupil Dilates pupil

Location of of eye Location of
preganglionic neurons: of eye
preganglionic neurons:
brainstem and sacral thoracic and lumbar
segments of spinal cord Stimulates salivary Inhibits salivary
gland secretion segments of spinal cord
gland secretion
Sympathetic
Neurotransmitter Constricts ganglia Relaxes bronchi Neurotransmitter
released by bronchi in lungs Cervical in lungs released by
preganglionic neurons:
preganglionic neurons:
acetylcholine
Slows heart Accelerates heart acetylcholine

Inhibits activity of
stomach and intestines
Location of Stimulates activity Thoracic Location of
postganglionic neurons: of stomach and postganglionic neurons:
in ganglia close to or intestines Inhibits activity
some in ganglia close to
within target organs of pancreas
target organs; others in
Stimulates activity a chain of ganglia near
of pancreas Stimulates glucose spinal cord
release from liver;
inhibits gallbladder
Stimulates Lumbar
Neurotransmitter
gallbladder
released by Stimulates Neurotransmitter
postganglionic neurons: adrenal medulla released by
acetylcholine postganglionic neurons:
Promotes emptying norepinephrine
Inhibits emptying
of bladder
of bladder

Promotes erection Promotes ejaculation and

of genitalia Sacral
Figure 48.22 Synapse vaginal contractions
Function of autonomic nervous system