AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Overview of the Nervous System

The nervous system is the major controlling, regulatory, and communicating system in the
body. It is the center of all mental activity including thought, learning, and memory. It has two main
parts:

 The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord.
a. brain- receives and processes sensory information, initiates responses,
generates thoughts and emotions
b. Spinal cord- conducts signals to and from the brain, controls reflex activities
 The peripheral nervous system is made up of nerves that branch off from the spinal
cord and extend to all parts of the body.
a. Somatic nervous system- controls voluntary movements
b. Autonomic nervous system- controls involuntary movements

Microscopic Structure of the Nervous System

NEURON
 Cells within the CNS
 Transmit information to the other nerve cells, muscles, or gland cells.

Parts of neuron
1. Dendrites- receive signals from other neurons and transmit electrical charges to the
cell body.
2. Cell body (soma)- process incoming information. It is the spherical part of a neuron
that contains the nucleus and other major organelles. It is surrounded by a plasma
membrane
3. Nucleus –Controls the entire neuron
4. Axons- transmit the electrical charges away from the cell body. When the current
reaches the end of the axon, the axon releases chemicals called neurotransmitters.
Neuro-transmitters pass the signal to the dendrites of other neurons, or to muscles or
glands.
5. Schwann cells –produces myelin sheath
6. Myelin sheath – increases the speed of the signal
7. Node of Ranvier –allow the diffusion of ions
8. Axon terminal – forms junction with other cells

Types of neuron in Spinal Cord

 Sensory Neuron
 Interneuron
 Motor neuron
Sensory Neuron Interneuron Motor Neuron
(Afferent Neuron) (Relay Neuron) (efferent Neuron)
Functions Carries signals to Integrate Carries signals from
the CNS from information that the CNS to the
sensory receptors in flows between effector organs e.g.
peripheral tissues afferent & efferent muscles & visceral
organs
Structural Unipolar Neuron Bipolar Neuron Multipolar Neuron
Classification of (A single elongated (Two processes (Have more than
Neuron process, with the separated by the cell two processes, a
cell body located body) single axon &
off to the side) multiple dendrites)
 Reflex Action
Vocabulary:
Stimulus -change in the environment that is detected by the receptor
Receptor -Transform environmental stimuli into electrical nerve impulse
Reflex - rapid, unconscious response
Reflex Action -Sudden & involuntary response to a stimulus
Effector - Organs that produce a response to the stimulus
Response -Change in the organism resulting from the detection of the stimulus
Reflex Arc –neural pathway that controls the reflexes
SENSORY RECEPTOR→ SENSORY
NEURON→INTERNEURON→MOTOR NEURON→EFFECTOR

AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is part of the nervous system that supplies the internal
organs (blood vessels, stomach, intestine, liver, kidneys, bladder, genitals, lungs, pupils, eye, heart,
and sweat, salivary, digestive glands).
The autonomic nervous system regulates certain body processes, such as blood pressure and
the rate of breathing. This system works automatically/ involuntarily, without a person’s conscious
effort.
ANS has two main divisions:
1. Sympathetic
2. Parasympathetic.

Sympathetic Nervous System Parasympathetic Nervous

System
Origin arise from the thoracic & arise from the brain (cranial
lumbar region nerves 3, 7, 9 & 10) and the
sacral region (s2 to s4)
Function Prepares the body for Maintains conserving functions
emergency situations when the body is at rest
Stored energy It causes the body to release It conserves and restores energy
stored energy.
Response Fight-or-flight response Rest & Digest response
“stress” “peace”
Pupil dilate constriction
Heart Increase heartbeat Slow heartbeat
Airways Dilates the bronchial tubes Constricts the bronchial tubes
Sweat gland Stimulate secretion
Liver Increases rate of converting Stimulates bile release
glycogen to glucose
Digestive System Decreases activity Stimulates activity
Adrenal Glands Stimulates the production of
adrenaline(epinephrine) &
noradrenaline (norepinephrine)
Urinary System Relaxes bladder Increases urinary output
Ganglia Some sympathetic ganglia form Parasympathetic ganglia are found
a network of interconnected near or in the wall of the organs
ganglia known as sympathetic they supply
chain ganglia which are found
close to the spinal cord
Preganglionic neuron shorter longer
Postganglionic neuron longer shorter
Neurotransmitters 1st neuron - Acetylcholine (Ach) 1st neuron- Acetylcholine (Ach)
→Neurotransmission →Cholinergic →Cholinergic
2nd neuron- Norepinephrine 2nd neuron- Acetylcholine (Ach)
→Adrenergic →Cholinergic
 CRANIAL NERVES

Number Name Function

I Olfactory Smell
II Optic Sight
III Oculomotor Moves eye, pupil
IV Trochlear Moves eye
V Trigeminal Face Sensation
VI Abducens Moves eye
VII Facial Moves face, Salivate
VIII Vestibulocochlear Hearing, balance
IX Glossopharyngeal Taste, swallow
X Vagus Heart rate, digestion
XI Accessory Moves head
XII Hypoglossal Moves tongue

Neurons in ANS
 Autonomic nerve pathway involves two nerve cells from CNS towards the effectors.
 First neuron is called preganglionic neurons
 Second Neuron is called postganglionic neuron
 Preganglionic neurons of SNS primarily release neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
 Postganglionic neurons of SNS primarily release norepinephrine.
 Preganglionic and Postganglionic neurons of PNS primarily release neurotransmitter
acetylcholine.
 Neurotransmitters are often referred to as the body’s chemical messengers. They are the
molecules used by the nervous system to transmit messages between neurons, or from
neurons to muscles.

REFERENCES:
Schubert, T. (2022). MSD Manual veterinary manual. Merck & Co., Inc.
https://www.msdvetmanual.com/dog-owners/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders-of-
dogs/parts-of-the-nervous-system-in-dogs
Low, P. (2022). MSD Manual consumer version. Merck & Co, Inc.
https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/autonomic-
nervous-system-disorders/overview-of-the-autonomic-nervous-system
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