Autonomic Nervous System

Autonomic nervous
system
Dr.Eman Al-taras
Reading Assignment:
Tortora and Derrickson, 11th edition.
Chapter 15: pgs. 525 - 541
Objectives
• List the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system
and overall function
• Know the origins of sympathetic and parasympathetic

divisions of the autonomic nervous system
• Know the cranial nerves (names and functions)
• Understand preganglionic and postganglionic

innervations and receptors
• Appreciate the complementation of the function of

sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems
Operation of the Autonomic
Nervous System (ANS)
Reflex arc
• Autonomic sensory neurons
• Integrating centers in CNS
• Autonomic motor neurons
• Involuntary (i.e. without conscious control)

Components of the
Autonomic Reflex
1. Receptors: distal end of a sensory neuron
2. Sensory neurons: conduct impulses from

receptors to CNS
3. Integrating center: interneurons in CNS relay

signals from sensory to motor neurons
4. Motor neurons: Impulses fron integrating

centers are sent out to effector organs via
motor neurons
5. Effector: smooth muscles, cardiac muscles and

glands
Autonomic Sensory Input
Autonomic sensory neurons
Interoceptors
 Blood vessels, visceral organs, muscles
 Monitor the internal environment
 Examples: chemoreceptors monitoring blood CO2
 Other examples: some visceral sensations are

perceived
 Pain from visceral damage
 Angina pectoris
Autonomic Motor Neurons
Regulate visceral activities
 Excitation
 Inhibition
Two motor neurons in series

 First motor neuron
 Cell body in CNS and
myelinated axon extends to
the autonomic ganglion
 Second motor neuron
 Cell body in the autonomic
ganglion and unmyelinated
axon extends to efffector
Divisions of the ANS
Sympathetic
Excitation
Parasympathetic
Inhibition
Dual innervation for

most organs
Thrombocolumb
ar (Sympathetic)
Division
Craniosacral
(Parasympatheti
c) Division
Parasympathetic Division and the
Cranial Nerves
Cranial parasympathetic outflow
Four cranial nerves (III, VII, IX, and X)
Four pairs of ganglia and the plexus associated

with the vagus (X) nerve
 Ciliary ganglia: preganglionic axons pass with the

oculomotor (III) nerves
 Pterygopalatine ganglia
 Submandibular ganglia
 Otic ganglia
Anatomy of Autonomic Motor
Pathways
Preganglionic neuron
Cell body in CNS; axon exits as part of cranial
or spinal nerve
Axon is small-diameter and myelinated
Postganglionic neuron
Cell body and dendrites in autonomic ganglion;
axon terminates on effector
Axon is small-diameter and unmyelinated
Autonomic Ganglia
Sympathetic Ganglia: sites of synapses
between the sympathetic preganglionic and
postganglionic neruons
Sympathetic Trunk Ganglia

 Vertebral chain or paravertebral ganglia
 Innervate organs above the diaphragm
Prevertebral (collateral) ganglia

 Innervate organs below the diaphragm
 Three: celiac, superior mesenteric, and inferior
mesenteric
Autonomic Ganglia
Parasympathetic Ganglia
Preganglionic axons synapse with
postganglionic neurons in terminal
(intramural) ganglia
Preganglionic axons are long
Sympathetic Postganglionic
Neurons
1. Axon synapses with postganglionic neurons in the
ganglion
2. Axon ascends or descends (forming the sympathetic

chains) to a higher or lower ganglion before
synapsing with postganglionic neurons
3. Axon synapses through the sympathetic trunk

ganglion to synapse at the prevertebral ganglion
4. Axon terminates at the adrenal medulla
5. Preganglionic neuron synapses with up to 20 or more

postganglionic neurons that terminate in several
effectors (divergence)
Parasympathetic Postganglionic
Neurons
Axons of preganglionic neurons pass to the
terminal ganglia near or within a visceral
effector
Presynaptic neuron synapses with only a

limited number of postsynaptic neurons that
all lead to a single effector
Localized effect
Autonomic
plexus
•Network of
sympathetic and
parasympathetic
axons
•Located in the
thorax, abdomen
and pelvis
ANS Neurotransmitters & Receptors
 Cholinergic and adrenergic neurons
 Cholinergic neurons release acetylcholine

1. All preganglionic sympathetic &
parasympathetic neurons.
2. All postganglionic parasympathetic neurons.
3. Postganglionic sympathetic neurons that

innervate most sweat glands
Cholinergic receptors
Muscarinic receptors
Present in plasma membranes of all effectors
innervated by parasympathetic pot ganglionic
neurons (cardiac muscles, smooth muscles
and glands) in addition to some sweat glands.
Nicotinic receptors
Present in dendrites and cell bodies of both
sympathetic and parasympathetic
postganglionic neurons and in the motor
endplate at the neuromuscular junction.
Cholinergic receptors
Activation of nicotinic receptors causes
depolarization (excitation) of the
postsynaptic cell.
Activation of muscarinic receptors cause

either depolarization (excitation) or
hyperpolarization (inhibition) of the
postsynaptic cells.
Example: inhibition of smooth muscle

sphincter in the GI and excitation of the
circular muscle of the iris of the eye
(contraction)
Adrenergic neurons
Release norepinephrine.
Includes most sympathetic
postganglionic neurons.
Physiological Effects of the ANS
Autonomic tone
Sympathetic Responses
Parasympathetic Responses
Autonomic Tone
Balance between sympathetic and
parasympathetic activity
Regulated by the hypothalamus
Functions of the Sympathetic ANS
Dominates during physical or emotional stress
Vigorous physical activity and rapid production of
ATP
Fight or flight response
 Dilation of pupils of the eyes
 Increase in heart rate, force of contraction and BP
 Airway dilation
 Vasoconstriction of blood vessels to GI tract and
kidneys
 Dilation of blood vessels supplying the skeletal
muscle, cardiac muscle
Effects are longer lasting and more widespread
than parasympathetic effects
Functions of the Parasympathetic
ANS
Rest and digest
Conservation and restoration of body energy
during times of rest and recovery
SLUDD
 Salivation
 Lacrimation
 Urination
 Digestion
 Defecation
Three decreases
 Heart rate, diameter of airways diameter of pupils
Animations
http://
itc.gsw.edu/faculty/gfisk/anim/autonomicns.swf
http://trc.ucdavis.edu/biosci10v/bis10v/media/c
h25/autonomic_nerves.html

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Autonomic nervous

• Know the origins of sympathetic and parasympathetic

• Know the cranial nerves (names and functions)

• Understand preganglionic and postganglionic

• Appreciate the complementation of the function of

• Involuntary (i.e. without conscious control)

2. Sensory neurons: conduct impulses from

3. Integrating center: interneurons in CNS relay

4. Motor neurons: Impulses fron integrating

5. Effector: smooth muscles, cardiac muscles and

 Examples: chemoreceptors monitoring blood CO2

 Other examples: some visceral sensations are

Two motor neurons in series

Dual innervation for

Four pairs of ganglia and the plexus associated

 Ciliary ganglia: preganglionic axons pass with the

Sympathetic Trunk Ganglia

Prevertebral (collateral) ganglia

2. Axon ascends or descends (forming the sympathetic

3. Axon synapses through the sympathetic trunk

4. Axon terminates at the adrenal medulla

5. Preganglionic neuron synapses with up to 20 or more

Presynaptic neuron synapses with only a

 Cholinergic neurons release acetylcholine

2. All postganglionic parasympathetic neurons.

3. Postganglionic sympathetic neurons that

Activation of muscarinic receptors cause

Example: inhibition of smooth muscle

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