Chemical Transmitters in ANS

Prof . Mohammed Elbendary

Physiology department
King Abdulaziz University
Faculty of Medicine
 ANS
Lecture 3 Objectives
By the end of this lecture the student should be able to:

1- List the different neurotransmitters in the ANS.

2- Define cholinergic nerve fibers.
3- List the cholinergic fibers in the body.
4- Define adrenergic nerve fibers.
5- List the adrenergic fibers in the body.

ANS 2nd Year PT- 2018 2

 Chemical Transmitters in ANS

acetylcholine noradrenaline
Neurotransmitters in the preganglionic neurons

All preganglionic neurons, both sympathetic and

parasympathetic, release acetylcholine (Ach).
(Ach is the neurotransmitter in autonomic ganglia).
 Neurotransmitters in the postganglionic neurons

1-Sympathetic:
• Most sympathetic postganglionic neurons release noradrenaline
at the synapses with the effector cells.
• However, the sympathetic neurotransmitter to sweat glands
& blood vessels of the skeletal muscles is acetylcholine not
noradrenaline.

2-Parasympathetic:
• All parasympathetic postganglionic neurons release
acetylcholine at the synapses with their
visceral effectors.
• Neurons that release acetylcholine are
called cholinergic nerves.

• Neurons that release noradrenaline

(norepinephrine) are called adrenergic
nerves.

adrenergic
 Cholinergic nerve fibers
(nerve fibers release acetylcholine)

1- All preganglionic neurons, both sympathetic and

parasympathetic.
2- All postganglionic parasympathetic neurons.
3- Some postganglionic sympathetic neurons (to
sweat glands and skeletal muscle blood vessels).
4- Preganglionic sympathetic neurons supplying
adrenal medulla.
5- Somatic neurons (motor end plate).
 Adrenergic nerve fibers
(nerve fibers release noradrenaline or adrenaline)

1. Noradrenaline is released at adrenergic nerve fibers: All

postganglionic sympathetic fibers except to sweat glands
& blood vessels of skeletal muscle.
2. Adrenaline is released at adrenal medulla and brain.

N.B.
• Adrenal medulla is considered as a modified autonomic ganglion
• The majority of the secretions of the adrenal medulla is in the form of
adrenaline 80%, while 20% is in form of noradrenaline.
 Summary

1- What are the functions of parasympathetic nervous

system?
2- What are the effects of vagal stimulation to the heart,
lung and GIT?
3- What are the neurotransmitters in the ANS?
4- What are cholinergic nerve fibers? Name them.
5- What are adrenergic nerve fibers? Name them.

ANS 2nd Year PT- 2018 10