The sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system is known for its fight or

flight responses. Like the parasympathetic division, the sympathetic branch conta
ins two motor neurons which extend from the central nervous system to its design
ated effectors. The first motor neuron of the sympathetic pathway is the pregang
lionic neuron. The cell bodies of these neurons are located in the twelve thorac
ic segments and the first two or three lumbar segments of the spinal cord. As a
result, the origin of the sympathetic division is the thoracolumbar region.
The preganglionic neuron then synapses with either the sympathet
ic trunk ganglia or paravertebral ganglia. The sympathetic trunk ganglia lie as
a vertical chain on each side of the spinal cord and stretches from the base of
the skull to the coccyx. Signals from this outflow usually innervate areas such
as the upper trunk and head. The paravertebral ganglia lie in front of the spina
l cord and are responsible for the innervations of organs located below the diap
hragm such as those found in the abdominal cavity. Because of interconnection be
tween these types of ganglia, the sympathetic division can produce diffuse effec
ts around the body.
The outflow then continues onto the post ganglionic neurons. The
y are considered adrenergic because they release neurotransmitters such as norep
inephrine onto adrenergic receptors. The only exceptions are cholinergic sympath
etic postganglionic neurons that innervate sweat glands. The two adrenergic rece
ptors are alpha and beta and contains many sub types which elicit different acti
ons.
For example, the major actions of alpha 1 receptors are vasocons
triction of the blood vessels, increased blood pressure, dilation of the pupils,
and increased tone of the sphincter in the bladder. When alpha 2 receptors are
activated, they inhibit neurotransmitter release which can cause vasodilation a
nd as a result, decreased blood pressure. Likewise, beta 1 receptors induce tach
ycardia while beta 2 receptors cause vasodilation and relaxation of uterine smoo
th muscle. Lastly, beta 3 receptors are responsible for the lysis of fat.