Autonomic nervous system

• The nervous system can be divided anatomically into

• 1. central nervous system (CNS) : it consists of the brain and the spinal
cord

• 2. peripheral nervous system: it consists of the peripheral nerves

• It can also be divided physiologically into

• 1. somatic nervous system

• It controls voluntary movements by the skeletal muscles

• 2. autonomic nervous system (involuntary or self controlling)

• It regulates visceral activity e.g. heart , digestive system ….etc
• Both systems have a central and peripheral part . The neuron is the atomic
unit of the nervous system.
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Organization of the nervous system
Nervous system

Central NS Peripheral NS

Autonomic NS Somatic NS

Sympathetic NS Parasympathetic NS

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 Somatic pathway

AHC

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LHC

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 The reflex arc
• It is the functional unit of the nervous system. It consists of:
• 1. a receptor (sense organ)
• It is a specialized structure sensitive to changes inside or outside the body.
It converts different forms of energy into nerve impulses e.g. rods and
cones in the eye, taste buds in the mouth.
• 2. an efferent neuron
• It carries the nerve impulses from the receptor to the CNS
• 3. center
• It is present inside the CNS
• 4. an efferent neuron
• It carries the impulses from the center to the effector organ
• 5. an effector organ
• It is the structure , which produces the response (e.g. gland or muscle)
 Types of reflex arc
• 1. somatic reflex arc

• E.g. stretch reflex and withdrawal reflex

• a) stretch reflex
• When a skeletal muscle is stretched ; it contracts ( e.g. knee jerk and ankle jerk)

• b) withdrawal reflex
• When a painful stimulus is applied to the skin , there will be contraction of the flexor
muscles and inhibition of the extensor muscles e.g. pin prick to the skin leads to sudden
withdrawal of the limb.

• 2. autonomic reflex arc

• The autonomic reflex arc differs from the somatic reflex arc mainly in that it has two
efferent neurons.
 Differences between somatic and autonomic
reflex arcs
Somatic reflex arc Autonomic reflex arc
The receptor Usually in the skin Usually in a viscus
The afferent Passes via a dorsal root or The same like the somatic reflex arc
neuron cranial nerve and has its cell
body in the dorsal root ganglion.
The center The anterior horn cell The lateral horn cell
The efferent It is composed of one neuron It is composed of two neurons . It passes
neuron only with the spinal nerves and relay in
autonomic ganglia. Before relay , it is
called white ramus communicants
(myelinated) . After relay , it is called
postganglionic neuron (also called gray
ramus communicants) {unmyelinated}
The effector A skeletal muscle Usually a viscus ( plain or cardiac muscle
or a gland)
 Autonomic ganglia

• These are nerve cells present outside the

central nervous system. The axons of the
lateral horn cells (preganglionic fibers) make
synaptic connections with the cell body of
the autonomic ganglia (synapse) then
postganglionic fibers carry the impulses to
the viscera.
 Types of autonomic ganglia
• According to their sites they are classified into

• 1. paravertebral (lateral)
• There are two lateral chains on each side of vertebral column. They are sympathetic only. The chain
contains on ganglion for each segment of the spinal cord, except in the upper and lower parts of the
chain adjacent ganglia fuse together. Thus in the cervical region there are only 3 ganglia instead of 8 .
They are called superior, middle and inferior cervical sympathetic ganglia.

• 2 . collateral
• They lie between the sympathetic chain and the viscera. They lie at the origin of big arteries. They may
be sympathetic or parasympathetic.

• 3. terminal
• They lie within the wall of organ they supply. They are parasympathetic only.
 Function of the autonomic ganglia
• They act as distributing centers because each preganglionic axon diverge to many
post ganglionic neurons. It is a relay station.

• - in the sympathetic system , the preganglionic fibers relay in the lateral or

collateral ganglia and each preganglionic fiber activates many postganglionic
neurons. This allows for widespread distribution of nerve impulses producing
generalized sympathetic effects.

• -in the parasympathetic system , the preganglionic fibers relay in collateral or

terminal ganglia and each preganglionic fiber activates few postganglionic
neurons. This distribution produces localized parasympathetic effects.
 Autonomic ganglia
• It is a collection of neurons
outside the CNS.
• It is the site of synapse
between the preganglionic and
the postganglionic neurons.
• It act as a distributing center.

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Lateral and collateral ganglia

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 Parasympathetic NS is characterized by:
*The preganglionic fibers synapse in the
terminal ganglia.
.Long preganglionic fibers*
The postganglionic effects are mediated *
. through acetyl choline

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 Sympathetic NS
• Sympathetic division of
the ANS is called the
fight and flight division.
• It prepare the body to
deal with stress.

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Parasympathetic NS

• Parasympathetic
NS is called the
rest and sleep
division of the
ANS.
• It allows the
body to recover
from stress

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 Sympathetic nervous system

• Thoracolumber:

• It consists of two neurons, pre and post ganglionic . The

preganglionic neurons have their cell bodies in the lateral horn of all
the thoracic segments and the upper 3 lumber segments of the
spinal cord. The postganglionic neurons have their cell bodies in the
lateral or collateral ganglia. Then the post ganglionic fibers supply
the effector organs.
 Effects of stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system

Organ Effects
Head and neck -motor to lator pupillae muscle leading to dilation of the eye
pupil. di
-secretion of small volume of viscid saliva.
-constriction of the skin blood vessels.
Thorax Stimulation of all properties of the heart:
-Heart -increased heart rate.
-increased force of contraction.
-dilation of the coronary vessels.
-dilation of the bronchi.
-lungs -slight constriction of the pulmonary vessels.
Abdomen Constriction of the blood vessels of the viscera.
-Liver Stimulation of glycogenolysis ( increase in blood glucose
level).
-Stomach and intestine
-decreased motility and decreased secretion
-Gall bladder and bile Increase in tone of sphincters i.e. contraction of sphincters..
ducts -relaxation of the wall and contraction of sphincter.
-Adrenal medulla -stimulation of epinephrine and norepinephrine secretion.
 CONTINU.SYMPATHETIC functions
-Constriction of the blood vessels of the viscera.
-inhibitory to the wall of the urinary bladder , motor to the sphincter
causing retention of urine.
pelvis
-inhibitory to the wall of the rectum, motor to the sphincter causing
retention.
-in the male, motor to the plain muscles of the vas deferens , seminal
vesicles and prostate causing ejaculation of semen.

Limbs, thoracic -constriction of the skin blood vessels.

and abdominal -dilation to the muscle blood vessels.
walls. -excess secretion of sweat glands.
-contraction of piloerector muscles.
-skeletal muscles glycogenolysis , increased strength of
contraction
- Increased mental activity
General effects - increased BMR ( basal metabolic rate)
-increased blood coagulation
-Increased blood glucose level.