transmitted along afferentfibersto spinal

cord spinalreflexis

AUTONOMIC REFLEXES
visceral reflexes mediated by control
centers in the brain (hypothalamus,
brain stem and spinal cord)
operate without conscious control
generally involve cardiac muscle,
smooth muscle or glands
automatic adjustment or negative
feedback control (internal homeostasis)
ExamplesofAutonomicReflexes
a.Baroreceptorreflex control the arterial
blood pressure and heart rate
Stretchreceptors(baroreceptors) are
located in the walls of internalcarotidarteries
and archoftheaorta.
receptors stretchedby highBPsignals
are transmitted to the medulla
oblongatainhibits sympatheticimpulses and
increases parasympatheticstimulation (vagus
nerve)decreasedheartrateand vasodilation
b.Defecationreflex
Peristalsis wave-like contractions of
intestinalsmooth muscle
feces move into and distend the
rectum stimulation of stretchreceptors
in the wall of the rectum signal is

initiated (parasympatheticmotorfibers
stimulate contraction of rectum and
sigmoid colon, and relaxation of internal
anal sphincter) if its convenient to
defecate, voluntarymotorneuronsare
inhibitedexternal anal sphincter
relaxes so feces may pass
mediated by parasympatheticautonomic
motor impulses*external anal sphincter
is under voluntarycontrol
c.Micturitionreflex
- Relaxation of internal urethral sphincter
and contraction of detrusor muscle of
the bladder urination
- If urination is inconvenient, the midbrain
and cerebralcortexcan inhibit the reflex
(via pudendalnerve).
d.Sexualautonomicreflexesinitiated both by
psychicstimulifrom the brainand by stimuli
from the sexualorgansimpulses from these
sources converge on the sacralcordMales:
erectionparasympatheticfunction;
ejaculationpartially a sympatheticfunction

AutonomicControlCentersinBrain
Hypothalamus
temperature regulation
thirst and food intake regulation
Ponspneumotaxic center (respiratory
rate)
Midbrain
micturitionvasomotorcenterrespiration
swallowing, cough and vomiting
Hypothalamus
- main function: homeostasis(maintaining
the bodys statusquo)
- establishes a setpoint: blood pressure,
body temperature, fluid and electrolyte
balance
- contains numerous hypothalamicnuclei
(small nuclei) with diverse functions:
o nuclei secrete neurohormonespituitary
glandact as conduit between the nervous
and endocrinesystems
HypothalamusandANS
Circumventricularorgans(CVOs) areas in
brain that act as windows in bloodbrain barrier; allow hypothalamusto
monitor internal body milieu
Hypothalamuswill stimulate pituitaryto
release appropriate
hormonehomeostasis

Example:KidneyfunctionHypothalamus
monitors the H2O content of the blood: if
too little H2O (dehydration)antidiuretic

hormone(ADH)is releasedH2O is
conservedhomeostasis

With access to nerve and endocrine

systems, the hypothalamuscan control
heart vasoconstriction, digestion,
sweating, etc.