Transcript Document
PowerPoint® Lecture Slides prepared by Vince Austin, University of Kentucky
The Autonomic Nervous
System
Human Anatomy & Physiology, Sixth Edition
Elaine N. Marieb
Copyright © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings
14
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
The ANS consists of motor neurons that:
Innervate smooth and cardiac muscle and glands
Make adjustments to ensure optimal support for body
activities
Operate via subconscious control
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ANS Versus Somatic Nervous System (SNS)
The ANS differs from the Somatic Nervous System (SNS) in
the following three areas:
Effectors
Efferent pathways
Target organ responses
Copyright © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings
Effectors
The effectors of the SNS are skeletal muscles
The effectors of the ANS are cardiac muscle, smooth
muscle, and glands
Copyright © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings
Efferent Pathways
Axons of the SMS are of a single motor neuron from CNS to
the skeletal muscle
Axons of the ANS are a two-neuron chain:
The preganglionic (first) neuron has a lightly
myelinated axon
The ganglionic (second) neuron extends to an effector
organ
Copyright © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings
Neurotransmitter Effects
All somatic motor neurons release Acetylcholine (ACh),
which has an excitatory effect
In the ANS:
Preganglionic fibers release ACh
Postganglionic fibers release norepinephrine or ACh
and the effect is either stimulatory or inhibitory
ANS effect on the target organ is dependent upon the
neurotransmitter released and the receptor type of the
effector
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Comparison of Somatic and Autonomic Systems
Figure 14.2
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Divisions of the ANS
The two divisions of the ANS are the sympathetic and
parasympathetic
The sympathetic mobilizes the body during extreme
situations (“fight or flight”)
The parasympathetic performs maintenance activities and
conserves body energy (“sit and shit”; “rest and digest”)
The two divisions counterbalance each other’s activity
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Parasympathetic Division
- Concerned with keeping body energy use low
- Involves the D activities – digestion and defecation
Its activity is illustrated in a person who relaxes after a meal:
Blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rates are low
Gastrointestinal tract activity is high
The skin is warm and the pupils are constricted
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Role of the Sympathetic Division
- The sympathetic division is the “fight-or-flight” system
- Involves E activities – exercise, excitement, emergency,
and embarrassment
- Promotes adjustments during exercise – blood flow to organs
is reduced, flow to muscles is increased
Its activity is illustrated by a person who is threatened:
Heart rate increases, and breathing is rapid and deep
The skin is cold and sweaty, and the pupils dilate
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Anatomy of ANS
Division
Length of Fibers
Location of
Ganglia
Sympathetic
Short preganglionic
and long
postganglionic
Close to the
spinal cord
Parasympathetic
Long preganglionic
and short
postganglionic
In the visceral
effector organs
Copyright © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings
Anatomy of ANS
A. preganglionic neurons - spinal cord -> ganglion
1. sympathetic (thoracolumbar)
a. lateral grey horn of T1-L3
2. parasympathetic
a. nuclei of cranial nerves III, VII, IX, X
b. lateral grey horn of S2-S4
Copyright © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings
Anatomy of ANS
B. autonomic ganglia - house cell bodies of effector n.
1. sympathetic
a. vertebral ganglia - along the spine
b. prevertebral ganglia - near arteries
2. parasympathetic
a. terminal ganglion - near effected organ
C. postganglionic neurons - motor to effected organ
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Sympathetic Ganglia
1. superior cervical ganglion
a. sweat glands, eye, face vessels and glands
2. middle cervical ganglion
a. heart
3. inferior cervical ganglion
a. heart
4. thoracic ganglia
a. heart, lungs, bronchi, thoracic viscera
5. lumbar and sacral ganglia
a. viscera of abdominopelvic cavity
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Parasympathetic Ganglia
1. ciliary ganglion
a. smooth muscle of the eye
2. pterygopalantine ganglion
a. nasal mucosa, palate, pharynx, lacrimal gland
3. submandibular and otic ganglia
a. salivary glands
4. cardiac and pulmonary plexuses
a. to the heart and lungs
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Anatomy of ANS
Figure 14.3
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Visceral Reflexes
Visceral reflexes have the same elements as somatic reflexes
They are always polysynaptic pathways
Afferent fibers are found in spinal and autonomic nerves
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Visceral Reflexes
Figure 14.7
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Levels of ANS Control
The hypothalamus is the main integration center of ANS
activity
Subconscious cerebral input via limbic lobe connections
influences hypothalamic function
Other controls come from the cerebral cortex, the reticular
formation, and the spinal cord
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Levels of ANS Control
Figure 14.9
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Hypothalamic Control
Centers of the hypothalamus control:
Heart activity and blood pressure
Body temperature, water balance, and endocrine activity
Emotional stages (rage, pleasure) and biological drives
(hunger, thirst, sex)
Reactions to fear and the “fight-or-flight” system
Copyright © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings