PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Parasympathetic Preganglionic Neurons

The parasympathetic preganglionic neurons are located in
two distinct situations:
 The first group is located in the general visceral efferent
nuclei of the brainstem. Axons arising in these nuclei
constitute the cranial parasympathetic outflow.
Fibres arising from these neurons constitute
the thoracolumbar outflow. Their axons leave the spinal
cord through anterior nerve roots to reach the spinal
nerves of the segments concerned. After a very short
course in the ventral primary rami, these fibres enter the
white rami communicants to reach the sympathetic
trunk .
On reaching the sympathetic trunk, these fibres behave
in one of the following ways

 They may terminate in relation to cells of the

sympathetic ganglion at the level concerned.
• They may travel up or down the sympathetic trunk to
terminate in ganglia at a higher or lower level.
•They may leave the sympathetic trunk through
one of its branches to terminate in a peripherally
situated ganglion in the peripheral autonomic plexus
 The second group of parasympathetic preganglionic
neurons is located in the second, third, and fourth
sacral segments of the spinal cord . Their
axons constitute the sacral parasympathetic outflow.
They emerge from the cord through the anterior nerve
roots of the corresponding spinal nerves. The axons
leave the spinal nerves to form the pelvic splanchnic
nerves, which end in pelvic autonomic plexuses in the
walls of the pelvic viscera
Parasympathetic Postganglionic Neurons
• Postganglionic neurons related to the third, seventh,
and ninth cranial nerves are located in the ciliary,
submandibular, pterygopalatine, and otic ganglia.
Postganglionic neurons related to the vagus are
located in cervical, thoracic and abdominal autonomic
plexuses, close to or within the viscera supplied
. The axons arising from these
postganglionic neurons innervate various thoracic and
abdominal viscera, including the foregut and midgut.
• Postganglionic neurons related to the sacral
parasympathetic outflow are located in pelvic
autonomic plexuses. They innervate the pelvic viscera.
They also supply the hindgut (rectum, the sigmoid
colon, the descending colon and the left one-third of
the transverse colon).
. Afferents Related to the Cranial Part of
Parasympathetic System
These are general visceral afferent fibres related to the
glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves .
The cell bodies of the neurons concerned are located in
sensory ganglia related to the cranial nerve in question.
Their central processes terminate in the nucleus of the
solitary tract.
Glossopharyngeal afferents carry sensations from
the pharynx and posterior part of the tongue. They also
innervate the carotid sinus and carotid body. Sensory
fibres carried by the vagus innervate all organs to which
its efferent fibres are distributed. The sensory fibres in the
vagus are much more numerous than efferent fibres
Afferents Related to the Sacral Part of
Parasympathetic System
These afferents are peripheral processes of unipolar
neurons located in the dorsal nerve root ganglia of the
second, third, and fourth sacral nerves .
These fibres run through the pelvic splanchnic nerves to
innervate pelvic viscera. The central processes of these
neurons enter the spinal cord.

Length of preganglionic fibres Relatively long

Component Parasympathetic
Preganglionic
Highest neuron terminal (and
modulators vAcetylcholine
Limbic region (nicotinic receptor
receptor)/neurotransmitter
hypothalamus rostral
Ganglia of relay (Effector neuron Ciliary, pterygopalatine,
Brain stem control Reticular formation
submandibular,
Supraspinal fibres otic, cardiopulmonary
Dorsal plexusand
longitudinal fasciculus and in
the wall
hypothalamospinal fibres
Preganglionic fibres of the viscera
Along with cranial nerves III, VII, IX,
Ratio of preganglionic fibres to XOne
and is to a few (therefore localized
neurons of ganglia effect)nerve roots of sacral nerves
ventral
Postganglionic
Myelination fibres
of preganglionic Through branches of trigeminal in
fibres Myelinated
head
region; and direct ganglionated
branches
Myelination of postganglionic fibres Unmyelinated
Postganglionic neuron terminal (and Acetylcholine (muscarinic receptor
receptor)/neurotransmitter
Effect Responsible for homeostasis

Response of organs to parasympathetic nervous

system
Organs Parasympathetic system

Eye Constriction of pupils and ciliaris

muscle for accommodation
Lacrimal gland Secretion
Salivary glands Profuse, watery secretion
Heart Decreases heart rate, decreases
contractility
Lung Bronchial smooth muscle contraction
Gastrointestinal Increases motility, relaxation of
tract sphincters and stimulation of
 secretion
Urinary bladder Contraction of detrusor and relaxation
of involuntary sphincter
vesicae