THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Date: June 16, 2008

Lecturer: Dr. Mang C. Yu
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Innervates cardiac muscle, smooth muscle,

glandular tissues

TWO DIVISIONS:

1. Sympathetic Nervous System

(Thoraco-lumbar Outflow)

2. Parasympathetic Nervous System

(Cranial-sacral Outflow)
ANS: TWO-NEURON CHAIN SYSTEM
 SYMPATHETIC
NERVOUS SYSTEM:

1. First neuron (preganglionic)

located at intermediolateral
gray column (lateral horn) of
spinal cord from T1 to L2

2. Second neuron (postganglionic)

located at paravertebral ganglia
(sympathetic trunk) and
prevertebral ganglia (coeliac,
mesenteric, aortico-renal
ganglia)
SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
SYMPATHETIC INNERVATION OF
VISCERAL ORGANS
 PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

TWO PARTS: CRANIAL AND SACRAL

A. Cranial portion: associated with 3, 7, 9, 10 cranial nerves

Nerve First Neuron Second Neuron

(Preganglionic) (Postganglionic)

Oculomotor Edinger-Westphal Nucl Ciliary ganglion

Facial Superior Salivatory Nucl Pterygopalatine gang
Submandibular gang
Glossopharyngeal Inferior Salivatory Nucl Otic gang
Vagus Dorsal Vagal Motor Nucl Cardiac plexus,
Terminal gang

B. Sacral Portion: associated with S2, 3 and 4 segments spinal cord

1st neuron - intermediolateral gray matter
2nd neuron- Terminal ganglia, pelvic plexus
PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
MODE OF INNERVATION OF ANS
(TO REACH TARGETS)

1. VIA SPINAL NERVES

2. VIA CRANIAL NERVES

3. VIA OWN NERVES, e.g, VAGUS NERVES, SPLANCHNIC

NERVE (greater, lesser and least splanchnic nerves)

4. VIA BLOOD VESSELS, ESPECIALLY VIA CAROTID

ARTERIES TO TARGETS IN HEAD REGIONS
 NEUROTRANSMITTERS OF ANS

SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Preganglionic neurons: Acetylcholine
Postganglionic neurons: Norepinephrine
(Adrenergic)

PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Preganglionic neurons: Acetylcholine
Postganglionic neurons: Acetylcholine
(Cholinergic)
FUNCTIONS OF ANS

(1) Sympathetic Division

Fright, fight, flight

e.g. dilates pupils, increases heart rate and
output, increases respiration

Neuro-endocrine Axis
Adrenal Medulla: Acts as a component of
sympathetic postganglionic neurons

Under stressful situations (exams, worries), a

steady output of epinephrine mobilizes blood
sugar and fatty acids
FUNCTIONS OF ANS

(2) Parasympathetic Division

Generally maintains bodily functions,

restorative processes
Constricts pupils, slows heart rate and
reduces cardiac output
Increases glandular secretion and
peristalsis in digestive process,
absorption of nutrients; eliminates
waste products via micturition,
defecation
AUTONOMIC
CONTROL OF
THE HEART
AUTONOMIC
CONTROL OF
BLADDER
Hypothalamus: Highest Center of ANS
Feeding behavior; Drinking (Water and Salt intake);
Thermo-regulation; Control of blood flow by adjusting cardiac
output; Regulation of energy metabolism by monitoring blood
glucose level; Digestive functions;
Regulation of reproductive activities such as sexual orientation;
mating behavior

Amygdala: Plays Important Roles in ANS Functions

 CLINICAL CORRELATIONS

A. Diseases of the sympathetic division:

1. Horner’s syndrome (anhydrosis, miosis, ptosis)

2. Angina pectoris: severe pain in cardiac ischemia

due to constriction of coronary blood vessels as a result of
sympathetic stimulation. The pain felt radiates from left
chest and shoulder and inner arm following the track of
spinal nerve T1, a classic example of “referred pain”

3. Raynaud’s disease: over-stimulation of sympathetic

nervous system on terminal vessels in lower
limbs, leading to “dry gangrene”
CLINICAL CORRELATIONS

B. Diseases of the parasympathetic division:

1. Hirschsprung’s disease (congenital megacolon):

lack of bowel movements due to absence of
parasympathetic neurons in terminal ganglia
(myenteric and submucosal plexuses), resulting in
greatly extended bowls, and constipation

2. Peptic ulcer: over-stimulation of the vagus nerve,

leading to excessive secretion of highly acidic
gastric juice - ulcer