Transcript ANS
The Autonomic Nervous
System
Human Anatomy & Physiology, Sixth Edition
Elaine N. Marieb
14
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Motor neurons that:
Innervate smooth & cardiac muscle & glands
Subconscious control
ANS differs from the SNS
Effectors
SNS – skeletal muscle
ANS – non-skeletal muscle & gland cells
Efferent pathways
SNS – single PNS neuron
ANS – 2 PNS neurons
Target organ responses
SNS – contraction of muscle
ANS – contraction or relaxation, excretion
Neurotransmitters used
SNS – acetylcholine
ANS – acetylcholine, norepinephrine & epinephrine
Distinctions of Efferent Pathways
SNS motor neurons
Single neuron extends from CNS to effector
Heavily myelinated axons
ANS motor neurons
Two-neuron PNS chain
Preganglionic neuron & postganglionic neuron
Lightly myelinated preganglionic axon from CNS
to ganglion
Unmyelinated postganglionic axon extends to
effector
Neurotransmitter Differences
SNS neurons release acetylcholine (ACh), which has
an excitatory effect
In the ANS:
Preganglionic fibers release ACh
Postganglionic fibers
release norepinephrine or ACh
effect is stimulatory or inhibitory
effect depends on neurotransmitter receptor in
cells of effector tissue
Comparison of Somatic & Autonomic Systems
Figure 14.2
Anatomy of ANS
Long preganglionic
Short postganglionic
Short preganglionic
Long postganglionic
Ganglia on/in target
organ
Ganglia close to
spinal cord
Figure 14.3
Divisions of the ANS
Sympathetic (SANS)
mobilizes the body during stressfull situations
Parasympathetic (PANS)
stimulates maintenance activities & conserves body
energy
The two divisions counterbalance each other’s
activity
SANS signals usually override PANS
Examples of ANS Effects
PANS
Lowers BP, heart & respiratory rates
Increases gastrointestinal tract activity
Superficial arterioles open (smooth muscle relaxed)
Pupils are constricted
SANS
Blood flow to organs/skin reduced, flow to muscles
increased
Heart & respiratory rates increased
Iris contracts - Pupils dilate
Parasympathetic Division Outflow
Cranial Outflow
Sacral Outflow
Cranial Nerve
Ganglion
Effector Organ(s)
Occulomotor (III)
Ciliary
Eye
Facial (VII)
Pterygopalatin
Submandibular
Salivary, nasal, &
lacrimal glands
Glossopharyngeal
(IX)
Otic
Parotid salivary glands
Vagus (X)
Located within the
walls of target organs
Heart, lungs, & most
visceral organs
S2-S4
Located within the
walls of the target
organs
Large intestine, urinary
bladder, ureters, &
reproductive organs
Parasympathetic Division Outflow
Longer preganglionic axons
Ganglion near/on target organ
Short postganglionic axons
Vagus nerve (CN X)
innervates all visceral organs
Sympathetic Outflow
Sympathetic neurons in lateral horns of spinal cord
segments T1 through L2
T1-T4 preganglionic fibers pass through the white
rami communicantes & synapse in sympathetic
chain ganglia
T5-L2 preganglionic fibers pass through the gray
rami communicantes & chain ganglia to form
splanchnic nerves & synapse in collateral ganglia
around abdominal aorta
Postganglionic fibers innervate the numerous organs
of the body
Sympathetic
Outflow
Sympathetic neurons
in lateral horns of spinal
cord segments T1- L2
T1-T4 preganglionic
fibers synapse in
sympathetic chain
ganglia
T5-L2 preganglionic
fibers form splanchnic
nerves & synapse in
collateral ganglia on
abdominal aorta
Sympathetic Trunks & Pathways
Pathways to the Head
T1-T4 preganglionic axons synapse in the superior
cervical ganglion
Serve skin & blood vessels of the head
Stimulate dilator muscles of the iris
Inhibit nasal & salivary gland secretions
Pathways to the Thorax
T1-T6 preganglionic axons synapse in cervical chain ganglia
Postganglionic axons from middle & inferior cervical ganglia
enter spinal nerves C4-C8 to innervate the heart, thyroid & skin
of neck
Other T1-T6 preganglionic axons synapse in nearest chain
ganglia to directly serve the heart, aorta, lungs, & esophagus
Pathways with Synapses in Collateral Ganglia
T5-L2 preganglionic axons exit sympathetic chain ganglia &
form splanchnic nerves
Splanchnic nerves form aortic plexus & numerous ganglia
Postganglionic axons from abdominal ganglia innervate
viscera
Pathways with Synapses in the Adrenal Medulla
Axons of the thoracic splanchnic nerve go directly
to the adrenal medulla
Upon stimulation, medullary cells secrete
norepinephrine & epinephrine into the blood
greater thoracic
splanchnic nerve
Visceral Reflexes
Visceral reflexes have the same elements as somatic reflexes
Afferent fibers are found in spinal & autonomic nerves
ANS Neurotransmitters
PANS
Acetylcholine (ACh) released by pre- & postganglionic axons
SANS
ACh released by preganglionic axons
ACh or norepinephrine (NE) released by postganglionic axons
Cholinergic fibers – ACh-releasing axons
Adrenergic fibers –NE-releasing postganglionic SANS axons
Excitatory or inhibitory effects depend upon the receptor type
Cholinergic Receptors
Bind ACh
Nicotinic receptors
Muscarinic receptors
Named & distinguished by interaction w/ agonists
Nicotine
Muscarine
Agonist – stimulates effect
Antagonist – blocks effect
Cholinergic Receptors
Nicotinic Receptors
Locations:
Skeletal muscle motor end plates, CNS neurons
SANS & PANS ganglionic neurons
Adrenal medulla cells
Ion channels
ACh always stimulatory
Muscarinic Receptors
Locations
Cells stimulated by postganglionic PANS fibers, CNS
ACh inhibition or excitation depends on receptor subtype
subtypes – M1, M2, M3
Adrenergic Receptors
Receptors that bind to norepinephrin & epinephrine
In cells innervated by SANS postganglionic axons
Alpha
subclasses - 1, 2,
NE is stimulatory
Beta
Subclasses - 1, 2 , 3
NE is generally inhibitory
Exception – NE binding to receptors of the heart
is stimulatory
Drugs that Influence the ANS
Table 14.4.1
Levels of ANS Control
Figure 14.9
Interactions of the Autonomic Divisions
Most visceral organs innervated by both sympathetic
& parasympathetic fibers
results in dynamic antagonisms that precisely
control visceral activity
Sympathetic fibers increase heart & respiratory
rates, & inhibit digestion & elimination
Parasympathetic fibers decrease heart & respiratory
rates, & allow for digestion & the discarding of
wastes