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Flashcards in this deck (29)
  • What is the function of the autonomic nervous system?

    Involuntary control of organs including smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.

    anatomy nervous_system
  • The autonomic nervous system has two main divisions: what are they?

    • Sympathetic
    • Parasympathetic
    anatomy nervous_system
  • What controls many organs under dual innervation?

    Both sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions innervate the organs.

    physiology nervous_system
  • Describe the autonomic pathway structure.

    CNS → preganglionic neuron → autonomic ganglion → postganglionic neuron → effector organs.

    anatomy nervous_system
  • Which neurotransmitter do sympathetic postganglionic neurons primarily release?

    Norepinephrine (NE).

    neurotransmitters nervous_system
  • What neurotransmitter do parasympathetic postganglionic neurons release?

    Acetylcholine (ACh).

    neurotransmitters nervous_system
  • Where do sympathetic preganglionic neurons originate?

    From the thoracic and lumbar regions of the CNS.

    anatomy nervous_system
  • Which cranial nerve contains the majority of parasympathetic axons?

    The vagus nerve (CN10).

    anatomy nervous_system
  • Where are sympathetic ganglia located?

    Near the spinal cord, forming sympathetic chains.

    anatomy nervous_system
  • What is significant about adrenal glands in the sympathetic system?

    contains chromaffin (postganglionic) cells that secrete Epinephrine (E) into bloodstream.

    anatomy endocrine_system
  • What characterizes parasympathetic pathways?

    Long preganglionic axons and short postganglionic axons.

    anatomy nervous_system
  • What role do splanchnic nerves play?

    They carry preganglionic sympathetic axons that bypass the sympathetic chain.

    anatomy nervous_system
  • Name the major prevertebral ganglia.

    • Celiac ganglion
    • Superior mesenteric ganglion
    • Inferior mesenteric ganglion
    anatomy nervous_system
  • What are the functions of CN3, CN7, CN9, and CN10?

    • CN3: Pupil constriction
    • CN7: Lubricate eyes
    • CN9: Stimulate salivation
    • CN10: Decrease HR, bronchoconstriction, digestion
    anatomy nervous_system
  • How many nerve fibers are involved in autonomic pathways?

    Two nerve fibers from CNS to effector, synapsing at a ganglion.

    physiology nervous_system
  • What do visceral sensory neurons monitor?

    The status of internal organs.

    anatomy nervous_system
  • What is the pathway of visceral reflex arcs?

    Sensory receptor in viscera → visceral sensory neuron → spinal cord or brainstem integration

    biology nervous_system
  • Where does integration occur in visceral reflex arcs?

    • Spinal cord
    • Brainstem
    biology nervous_system
  • What is referred pain?

    Pain from a visceral organ perceived as coming from the skin

    biology pain
  • How do visceral reflexes differ from other reflexes?

    They primarily involve internal organs and may not be consciously perceived.

    biology reflexes
  • Where do parasympathetic preganglionic neurons originate?

    Brain stem and sacral region

  • Where are parasympathetic ganglia located?

    far from the spinal cord, but close to the target organs.

  • What characterizes the sympathetic pathway?

    Short preganglionic axons, but long postganglionic axons

  • What is the pathway of the sympathetic nerve?

    Lateral horn→ventral root→spinal nerve→ventral ramus→white ramus communicans→synapse at sympathetic trunk→gray ramus communicans→ventral ramus→effector organs

  • How do somatic and autonomic efferent pathways differ?

    • Somatic: One nerve fiber from the CNS to the effector
    • Autonomic: Two nerve fibers from the CNS to the effector
  • How does the location of the preganglionic cell body in the spinal cord differ in the somatic and autonomic efferent pathways?

    • Somatic: Ventral horn
    • Autonomic: Lateral horn
  • What is the location of the synapse on the sympathetic nerve?

    • Sympathetic trunk/chain/paravertebral ganglia
    • Prevertebral ganglia/collateral ganglia
    • In the adrenal gland
  • Where is the sympathetic nervous system located?

    Sweat glands, arrector pili, smooth muscle walls of blood vessels

  • What are the side effects of the sympathetic nervous system?

    • Eye–dilate pupils
    • Arrector pili–hair stands up
    • Heart–Increase HR
    • Lung–bronchodilation
    • GI tract–inhibit digestion