Other names
visceral
vegetative
involuntary
Function - regulates activity of structures not under voluntary control
smooth muscle
cardiac muscle
secretory glands
Structural arrangements
connections — 2 neurons
neuronal fiber leaving brainstem and spinal cord synapses outside the CNS at a ganglion -- preganglionic neuron
second neuron impacts on effector organ -- postganglionic neuron
two divisions in ANS
based on differences in
anatomy
function
sympathetic (thoracolumbar) division
fibers originate in the thoracic and lumbar regions (T1-L3) of the spinal cord
ganglia are located near the spinal cord (distant from effector organ)
other than a second neuron, preganglionic neurons innervate the adrenal medulla which is embryologically and anatomically analogous to other sympathetic ganglia
one preganglionic neuron may act on many postganglionic neurons (up to 1:20)
diffuse distribution pattern leads to widespread massive responses
desirable if organism is confronted with a sudden emergency (e.g., pain, asphyxia, strong emotions)
“fight or flight” response
parasympathetic (craniosacral) division
fibers originate in tectal region of the brain stem (oculomotor [III], facial [VII], glossopharyngeal [IX] and vagus [X]) and sacral segments (S2-S4) of the spinal cord
ganglia are located near the end effector organs (distant from spinal cord)
generally 1 preganglionic:1 postganglionic neuron
discrete distribution leads to fine and limited responses
functionally important in protection, conservation and restoration of bodily resources
Innervation
some tissues receive only parasympathetic innervation
parotid gland
lacrimal gland
nasopharyngeal glands
some tissues receive only sympathetic innervation
sweat glands
adrenal medulla
piloerectors
most blood vessels
some tissues are innervated by both
salivary glands
heart
lungs (bronchial muscle)
abdominal and pelvic viscera
Effect of specific drugs on organs depends on relative degree of innervation
Characteristic
|
Sympathetic
|
Parasympathetic
|
Spinal Cord Origin
|
Thoraco-Lumbar
|
Cranio-Sacral
|
Length of Postganglioinc Fiber
|
Long
|
Short
|
Innervation
|
Diffuse (1:20)
|
Discrete (1:1)
|
Function
|
Fight or Flight
|
Minute-to-Minute Control
|
Preganglioinc Neurotransmitter
|
ACh
|
ACh
|
Postganglionic Neurotransmitter
|
NE, ACh
|
ACh
|
Neurotransmission
Communication between cells in the nervous system is accomplished by chemical mediators ( transmitter, neurotransmitter, NT) which are released by the nerve terminals or varicosities. The NT interacts with a specific receptor on a second neuron ( synapse or synaptic junction) or on a target tissue ( neuroeffector junction)
Neurotransmitters in the ANS are
acetylcholine (ACh)
norepinephrine (NE)
since epinephrine (Epi) is released into the circulation it is referred to as a neurohormone rather than a neurotransmitter
neurons which release ACh are called cholinergic
neurons which release NE are called adrenergic
Neurotransmitters associated with the autonomic nervous system
sympathetic division
preganglionic neurons release ACh
postganglionic neurons release
NE (ACh --> NE)
ACh - at sweat glands (ACh --> ACh)
adrenal medulla releases Epi, NE (ACh --> Epi, NE)
parasympathetic division
preganglionic neurons release ACh
postganglionic neurons release ACh (ACh --> ACh)
Caution:
cholinergic ? parasympathetic
adrenergic ? sympathetic
Receptors in the autonomic nervous system
cholinoceptors
muscarinic
actions of ACh on effector organs is similar to the plant alkaloid muscarine
action of both ACh and muscarine are similar to parasympathetic nerve stimulation
all the actions of muscarine and parasympathetic nerve stimulation can be blocked by atropine (a muscarinic antagonist)
subtypes
via pharmacologic techniques
via molecular biologic techniques
nicotinic
action of ACh on autonomic ganglia and adrenal medulla is similar to that of nicotine
action of ACh on skeletal muscle is also similar to nicotine, although antagonist selectivity is different indicating that these nicotinic receptors are not alike
adrenoceptors
activation of adrenergic receptors results in contraction of some smooth muscles and relaxation of others
certain antagonists demonstrate selectivity in blocking the various effects of NE
adrenergic receptors are classified as being either a or b
in general, stimulation of a receptors results in contraction whereas stimulation of breceptors results in relaxation ( exception: heart - breceptors produce contraction)
b 1vs b 2
a 1 vs a 2
presynaptic receptors regulate the amount of NE released by action potentials
Potential sites of drug action within autonomic neurons
Summary of tissue responses to adrenergic and cholinergic nerve stimulation
Organ Or Tissue Function
|
Adrenergic
Receptor
|
Adrenergic
Response
|
Cholinergic
Response
|
Dominant
Tone
|
Eye
|
|
|
|
C
|
Radial muscle of the iris
|
a1
|
Contraction (mydriasis)
|
—
|
|
Sphincter of the iris
|
—
|
—
|
Contraction (miosis)
|
|
Ciliary muscle
|
b2
|
Relaxation for far vision
|
Contraction for near vision
|
|
Heart
|
|
|
|
C
|
Rate (SA node)
|
b1
|
Increase
|
Decrease
|
|
Contractile force (atrium)
|
b1
|
Increase
|
Decrease
|
|
Contractile force (ventricles)
|
b1
|
Increase
|
None
|
|
Lungs
|
|
|
|
|
Bronchial smooth muscle
|
b2
|
Relaxation
|
Constriction
|
C
|
Bronchial glands
|
a1, b2
|
Decreased secretion, Increased secretion
|
Increased secretion
|
|
Blood vessels
|
|
|
|
A
|
Arterioles (viscera, skin, brain)
|
a1
|
Constriction
|
Dilatation (via EDRF)
|
|
Coronary vessels
|
b2 (a1, a2)
|
Dilatation (constriction)
|
Constriction
|
|
Skeletal muscle
|
b2 (M?)
|
Dilatation
|
Dilatation
|
|
Veins
|
a1
|
Constriction
|
—
|
|
GI tract
|
|
|
|
C
|
Walls (Tone and motility)
Sphincters
|
a2, b2
a1
|
Relaxation
Contraction
|
Contraction
Relaxation
|
|
Urinary bladder
|
|
|
|
|
Detruser muscle
|
b2
|
Relaxation
|
Contraction
|
C
|
Trigone-sphincter
|
a1
|
Contraction
|
Relaxation
|
A, C
|
Uterus
|
a1
|
Contraction
|
Variable
|
A
|
|
b2
|
Relaxation (non-preg>preg)
|
|
|
Penis, seminal vesicles
|
a1
|
Ejaculation
|
Erection
|
|
Salivary glands
|
a1
b
|
Increased secretion of K+ and H20
Increased secretion of amylase
|
Increased secretion of K+ and H20
|
C
|
Sweat glands
|
a1
|
Increased secretion
|
Increased secretion (sympathetic)
|
C
|
Liver
|
b2
|
Glycogenolysis
|
Glycogen synthesis
|
A
|
Fat cells
|
b (b3)
|
Lipolysis
|
None
|
A
|
Renin secretion
|
b1
|
Increase
|
None
|
A
|
Insulin secretion
|
a2
|
Decrease
|
Increase
|
A
|
* C= Cholinergic, A=Adrenergic
|