Autonomic Nervous System

Specific Learning Objective

After attending the lesson of Autonomic Nervous System
Physiology, student will be able to illustrate the normal
function of the Autonomic Nervous System

Organization of Nervous System

 NERVOUS SYSTEM

PERIPHERAL CENTRAL
NERVOUS SYTEM NERVOUS SYETM

EFFERENT DIVISION AFFERENT DIVISION

AUTONOMIC SYSTEM SOMATIC SYSTEM

Sympathetic
Organization of
Parasympathetic Nervous System
 PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS)

Sensory neuron Motor neuron

Somatic motor Autonomic motor

neuron neuron

Innervate skeletal Innervate smooth muscle,

muscle cardiac muscle, and gland
Anatomical diff
 ORGANIZATION OF SNS AND ANS
Anterior horn

Somatic motor neuron

Skeletal muscle
Somatic motor
Spinal cord neuron

Lateral horn

Autonomic ganglion Autonomic motor neuron

Effector organ e.g. smooth

muscle, heart, or gland

Preganglionic
Spinal cord neuron
Postganglionic neuron PERIPHERAL .
 SUBTOPICS OF AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
1. Contrasting the Somatic and Autonomic Nervous System
2. Anatomy of the Autonomic Nervous System
3. Physiology of the Autonomic Nervous System
4. Regulation of the Autonomic Nervous System
5. Functional Generalization About Autonomic Nervous System
 1. CONTRASTING THE SOMATIC AND THE
AUTONOMIC NERVEOUS SYSTEMS

Objective:
Compare the structure and functional differences between the somatic
and autonomic nervous system

Organization .
 Anatomical differences between Somatic Nervous System and
Autonomic Nervous Syatem

Somatic Nervous Autonomic Nervous

System System

Cell body
in CNS Preganglionic
neuron
Somatic Cell body
neuron (Ganglion)
out of CNS Postganglionic
neuron

Effectors
 Functional differences between Somatic Nervous System and
Autonomic Nervous System

Somatic Nervous System Autonomic Nervous System

1. Conscious 1. Unconscious
2. Always excitatory 2. Excitatory and inhibitory (during
meal ANS stimulate the stomach
activities, during exercise inhibit)

Summarizes of differences
 Comparison of the Somatic and Autonomic Nervous Systems
Feature SNS
Target tissues Skeletal muscle
Regulation Controls all conscious and
unconscious movement of
skeletal muscle
Response to stimulation Skeletal muscle contract
Neuron arrangement One neuron extends from the
CNS to skeletal muscle
Neuron cell body Neuron cell bodies are in motor
location nuclei of the cranial nerves and
in the ventral horn of the spinal
cord
ANS
Smooth, cardiac muscle, and glands
Unconscious regulation, although
influenced by conscious mental
function
Target tissues are stimulated or
inhibited
Two neuron in series, the preganglioni
from CNS to ganglion, postganglion
from ganglion to effectors
Pregangiolonic neuron cell bodies are
in autonomic nuclei of the cranial
nerves and in the lateral part of the
spinal cord; postganglionic neuron
cell bodies are in the autonomic
ganglia
Continued
 Comparison of the Somatic and Autonomic Nervous Systems
Feature SNS ANS
Number of synapses One synapse between the Two synapses; first in autonomic
somatic motor neuron and the ganglia; second is at the target tissues
skeletal muscle
Axon sheaths Myelinated Preganglionic are myelinated;
postganglionic are unmyelinated
Neurotransmitter Acetylcholine Acetylcholine is released by
substances preganglionic neurons; either
acetylcholine and norepinephrine is
released by postganglionic neurons

Receptor molecules Receptor molecules for In autonomic ganglia, receptor

acetylcholine are nicotinic molecules for acetylcholine are
nicotinic; in target tissues, receptor
for acetylcholine are muscarinic, for
norepinephrine are or - adrenergic

Organization of somatic and autonomic nervous syetem

2. ANATOMY OF THE AUTONOMIS NERVOUS
SYSTEM

Objective:
Compare the structural differences between the sympathetic
and parasympathetic divisions
Describe the structure of the enteric nervous system
Describe how sympathetic and parasympathetic axons are
distributed to organs
 ANS

SYMPATHETIC PARASYMPATHETIC

ENTERIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Complex network of neuron cell bodies and axons within the wall of
digestive tract that composed of sympathetic and parasympathetic
 SYMPATHETIC DIVISION

1. Neuron cell bodies located in the lateral horn spinal cord gray matter between
T1 and L2 segments called thoracolumbar division
2. The preganglionic neuron project to autonomic ganglia (sympathetic chain
ganglia = paravertebral ganglia) on either side of vertebral column behind the
parietal pleural
3. The sympathetic chain extends into cervical and sacral regions but only ganglia
from T1 L2 that receive preganglionic axons. The cervical and sacral regions
is associated with the nearly every pair of spinal nerves
4. The cervical ganglia fuse during fetal development only two or three pairs
exist in the adult
5. The preganglionic neuron are small and myelinated
6. The short connection between spinal nerve and a ganglion called white ramus
communicants
 SYMPATHETIC
DIVISION

Preganglionic neuron cell

bodies in the lateral horn
between T1-S2
Thoracolumbar divison

Sympathetic chain ganglia

= paravertebral ganglia
THE ROUTES TAKEN BY SYMPATHETIC AXONS

THE ROUTES TAKEN BY SYMPATHETIC AXONS.

 III
PARASYMPATHETIC
VII
DIVISION

IX
The cell bodies are within the
brainstem and sacral region
X

Craniosacral division
 Comparison of the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Division
Feature Sympathetic division
Location of preganglionic Lateral horns of spinal cord
cell Bodies gray matter (T1 L2)
Outflow from the CNS Spinal nerves
Sympathetic nerves
Splanchnic nerves
Ganglia The chain along spinal cord
for spinal and sympathetic
nerves; collateral ganglia for
splanchnic nerves
Number of postganglionic Many (much divergence)
neurons for each
preganglionic neuron
Relative length of neuron Short preganglionic
Long postganglionic
Parasympathetic division
Brainstem and lateral parts of
spinal gray matter (S2 S4)
Cranial nerves
Pelvic nerves
Terminal ganglia near or on
effector organ
Few (less divergence)
Long preganglionic
Short postganglionic
 ENTERIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

1. Consist of nerve plexuses within the wall of the digestive tract

2. The plexuses have contributions from three sources:
a. Sensory neurons that connect the digestive tract to the CNS
b. ANS motor neurons that connect the CNS to the digestive tract
c. Enteric neurons, which are confined to the enteric plexus
3. The CNS is capable of monitoring the digestive tract through sensory
neurons and controlling its smooth muscle and gland through ANS
motor neurons
 TYPE OF ENTERIC NEURON
1. Enteric sensory neurons, detect chemical composition and
wall stretching.
2. Enteric motor neurons, stimulate or inhibit smooth muscle
contraction and gland secretion
3. Enteric interneurons, connect sensory and motor neurons
to each other.
 THE DISTRIBUTION OF AUTONOMIC NERVE FIBERS
1. Sympathetic division
a. Sympathetic axons from ganglia to target tissues pass through spinal,
sympathetic, and splanchnic nerves, head and neck nerve plexuses, thoracic
nerve plexuses, and abdominopelvic nerve plexuses
b. Sympathetic and splanchnic nerves join autonomic nerve plexus,
complex, interconnected neural network formed by neurons of sympathetic
and parasympathetic division. They are named according to organs they
supply (cardiac plexus) or to blood vessels along which they are found
(thoracic aortic plexus).

2. Parasympathetic division
a. Parasympathetic outflow is through cranial nerve (III, VII, IX, X), and
plexuses (vagus and thoracic nerve plexuses, abdominal nerve plexuses, and
plevic nerve and pelvic nerve plexuses
 SENSORY NEURONS IN AUTONOMIC PLEXUSES
a. Not strictly part of autonomic nervous system
b. Some are part of reflex arcs regulating organ activities.
c. Transmit pain and pressure sensations from organ to CNS
d. The cell bodies of these sensory neuron are found in the dorsal root
ganglia and in certain cranial nerve (which are swelling on nerves close
to their attachment to the brain)
 3. PHYSIOLOGY OF THE ANS
Objective: describe the major neurotransmitters and receptors of the ANS

Neurotransmitters

Preganglion
Sympathetic (cholinergic) Parasympathetic

Acetylcholine

Ganglion

Postganglion
Postganglion (Cholinergic)
(adrenergic)
Norepinephrine
 Receptors

Cholinergic receptor Adrenergic receptor

(binds to acetylcholine)
Nicotinic
Bind to nicotin (tobacco
alkaloid)
Muscarinic
Bind to muscarine (alkaloid
poisonous mushroom)
(binds to norepinephrine)
Alpha receptor
1 stimulatory response
2 inhibitory response
Beta receptor
1 various response
2 various response

Nicotine does not bind the muscarinic receptor

Muscarine does not bind to nicotinic receptor
Actylcholine binds other the nicotinic or muscarinic receptor
 Location of ANS receptors

Sympathetic division
Most target tissues have adrenergic receptors
 Sympathetic division
Some target tissues have muscarinic receptor

Sweat gland
Parasympathetic division
Effects and receptor types of sympathetic and parasympathetic division
on various tissues
Organ Sympathetic effects and receptor types Parasympathetic
effects and receptors
types
Adipose tissue Fat breakdown release of fatty acids (2 and 1) None
Arrector pili muscle Contrastion (1) None
Blood (platelets) Increase coagulation None
Blood vessels (arterioles):
Digestive organ Constriction (1) None
Heart Dilatation (2), constriction (1) None
Kidneys None
Constriction (1 & 2); dilatation (1&2)
Lungs None
Skeletal muscle Dilatation (2); constriction (1) None
Skin Dilatation (2); constriction (1) None
Blood vessels (veins) Constriction (1 & 2)
Constriction (1 & 2); dilataion (2)

Effects continue
Organ Sympathetic effects and receptor types Parasympathetic effects and
receptors types
Eye
Ciliary muscle Relaxation for far vision (2) Constriction for near vision (m)
Pupil Dilated (1) Constricted (m)

Gallbladder Relaxation (2) Constriction (m)

Glands
Adrenal Release of epinephrine & norepinephrin (n) None
Gastric Decrease gastric secretion (2) Increase gastric secretion (m)
Lacrimal Slight tear production () Increase tear secretion (m)
Pancreas Increase insulin secretion (m)
Decrease insulin secretion (2)
Increase exocrine secretion (m)
Decrease exocrine secretion ()
Salivary Blood vessels dilation ; produce
Blood vessel constriction; produce thick and
thin and copious saliva (m)
viscous saliva
Sweat
Apocrine None
Thick, organic secretion (m)
Merocrine None
Watery sweat from most of the skin (m); sweat
from palms and soles (1)

Continue .
Organ Sympathetic effects and receptor types Parasympathetic effects and
receptors types
Heart Increases rate and force of contraction (2 & 2) Decreases rate (m)
Liver Glucose released into blood (1 & 2) None
Lungs Dilates air passageways (2) Constricts airpassageways (m)
Metabolism Increases up to 100% ( & ) None
Sex organs Ejacutaion (1); erection Erection (m)
Skeletal muscle Breakdown glycogen to glucose (2) None
Stomach and
intestines
Wall Decreases tone (1, 2 & 2) Increases motility (m)
Sphincter Increases tone (1) Decreases tone (m)

Urinary baldder
Wall (detrusor) None Contraction (m)
Neck of bladder Contraction (1) Relaxation (m)
Internal urinary Contraction (1) Relaxation (m)
spihincter
 4. REGULATION OF THE ANS
Objectives
Expalin how autonomic and local reflexes help to maintain homeostais
Describe the role of the hypothalamus in controlling the ANS

1. To maintain homeostasis, the structures innervated by ANS are

regulated through the autonomic reflexes
2. Input come from cerebrum, hypothalamus, and other area as
conscious thoughts and actions, emotions, and other CNS
activities
a. Parasympathetic reflex
b. Sympathetic reflex
c. Influence of higher part of the brain on autonomic functions

Thought and emotion influence

ANS through hypothalamus

ANS integrating center that

interact with cerebrum, limbic
system, brainstem, spinal cord;
also regulate the body
temperature
ANS reflex centers for controlling
pupil size, accommodation, tear
production, salivation, coughing,
swallowing, digestive activities,
blood vessels diameter, and
respiration

ANS reflex centers for regulating

defecation, urination, penile and
clitoral erection, and ejaculation
 5. FUNCTIONAL GENERALIZATION ABOUT THE ANS

Objective: Describe the generalizations that can be made about the ANS, and expalin the
limitation of these generalizations.

Stimulatory versus inhibitory effects

One division of ANS can be as stimulatory and or inhibitory

Dual innervation
Most organ innervated by both sympathetic and parasympathetic
Dual innervation is not universal
Structures receive dual innervation are not regulated equally by both division
 Opposite effects
The two division that innervate a single structure always produce opposite effects
The ANS can increase or decrease the activity of the structure
In a few instances, the effects is not clearly opposite

Cooperative effects
One autonomic division can coordinate the activities of a different structures
Both division of ANS can act together to coordinate the activity of a different
structures
 General versus localized effects
The sympathetic division has a more general and longer effects than the
parasympathetic division
The sympathetic division diverges more than parasympathetic
The sympathetic stimulation often activates many different kind of effector organs
at the same time as a result of CNS stimulation or norepinephrine/epinephrine
release from adrenal medulla
 Functions at rest versus activity
Sympathetic division influences under active or stress condition referred to flight
or fight response
Parasympathetic division influences under resting condition

During exercise
1. Increases heart rate and force of contraction; increase blood pressure and
movement
2. Oxygen, nutrient consumption, waste product are increased
3. Blood flow into tissue increase; reduces blood flow into tissues not involve in
exercise by vasoconstriction making blood more available for the exercising
tissues
4. Dilatation of air passageway
5. Increases the availability of energy sources. Muscle and liver stimulated to break
down glycogen into glucose
6. Exercising muscle generate heat, body temperature increase
7. The activity of organs not essential for exercise decrease
Thank for your attention