AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Neural Control of Involuntary Effectors

ANS: Innervate organs not usually under voluntary control. Effectors include cardiac and smooth muscles and glands. Effectors are part of visceral organs and blood vessels.

Autonomic Neurons
2 neurons in the effector pathway. 1st neuron has its cell body in gray matter of brain or spinal cord.
Preganglionic neuron.

Synapses with 2nd neuron within an autonomic ganglion which extends to synapse with effector organ.
Postganglionic neuron.

Autonomic Neurons
Autonomic ganglia are located in the head, neck, and abdomen. Presynaptic neuron myelinated and postsynaptic neuron unmyelinated.

Sympathetic Division
Myelinated preganglionic exit spinal cord in ventral roots at T1 to L2 levels. Travel to ganglia at different levels to synapse with postganglionic neurons. Divergence:
Preganglionic fibers branch to synapse with numerous postganglionic neurons.

Convergence:
Postganglionic neuron receives synaptic input from large # of preganglionic fibers.

Sympathetic Division
Mass activation:
Divergence and convergence cause the SNS to be activated as a unit.

Axons of postganglionic neurons are unmyelinated to the effector organ. Preganglionic neuron is short. Post-ganglionic neuron is long.

Sympathetic Effects
Fight or flight response. Release of norepinephrine from postganglionic fibers and epinephrine from adrenal medulla. Mass activation prepares for intense activity.
Heart rate increases. Bronchioles dilate. [glucose] increases.

Parasympathetic Division
Preganglionic fibers originate in midbrain, medulla, and pons; and in the 2-4 sacral levels of the spinal cord. Preganglionic fibers synapse in ganglia located next to or within organs innervated. Do not travel within spinal nerves.
Do not innervate blood vessels, sweat glands,and arrector pili muscles.

Parasympathetic Division
4 of 12 pairs of cranial nerves contain preganglionic parasympathetic fibers. Preganglionic fibers are long, postganglionic fibers are short. Vagus:
Innervate heart, lungs esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, small intestine and upper half of the large intestine.

Parasympathetic Division
Preganglionic fibers from the sacral level innervate the lower half of large intestine, the rectum, urinary and reproductive systems.

Parasympathetic Effects
Stimulation of separate parasympathetic nerves. Release ACh. Relaxing effects:
Decrease heart rate (HR). Dilate blood vessels. Increase GI activity.

Adrenergic and Cholinergic Synaptic Transmission

ACh is NT for all preganglionic fibers of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. ACh is NT released by most postganglionic parasympathetic fibers. Transmission at these synapses is termed cholinergic.

Responses to Adrenergic Stimulation

Has both excitatory and inhibitory effects. Responses due to different membrane receptor proteins.
a1 : constricts vascular smooth muscles a2 : contraction of smooth muscle b1 : increases HR and force of contraction b2 : relaxes bronchial smooth muscles

 Muscarinic receptors:

Responses to Cholinergic Stimulation

Ach binds to receptor. Requires the mediation of G-proteins. Beta-gamma complex binds to chemical K+ channel, opening the channel.

Functions to:
Decrease HR. Decrease force of contraction of the heart. Produce bronchiole constriction. Increase GI secretions.

Other Autonomic NTs

Certain postganglionic autonomic axons produce their effects through other NTs.
ATP VIP NO

Organs with Dual Innervation

Most visceral organs receive dual innervation (innervated by both sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers). Antagonistic effects:
Actions counteract each other.
Heart rate.

Complementary:
Produce similar effects.
Salivary gland secretion.

Cooperative:
Cooperate to produce a desired effect.
Micturition.

Control by Higher Brain Centers

Sensory input transmitted to brain centers that integrate information. Can modify activity of preganglionic autonomic neurons. Medulla:
Most directly controls activity of autonomic system.

Hypothalamus:
Regulates medulla.

Cerebral cortex and limbic system:

Responsible for responses to emotion.