Autonomic

Nervous System
(ANS)
• Autonomic nervous system (ANS) concerned with
regulation of visceral or vegetative functions of the
body.
• also called vegetative or involuntary nervous system

• DIVISIONS OF ANS From anatomical and

physiological point of view, ANS is divided into two
divisions:
1. Sympathetic division
2. Parasympathetic division
SYMPATHETIC DIVISION
otherwise called thoracolumbar outflow
because the preganglionic neurons are situated in lateral
gray horns of 12 thoracic and first two lumbar segments of spinal
cord. Fibers arising from here are known as preganglionic fibers.

Sympathetic division supplies smooth muscle fibers of all the

visceral organs such as blood vessels, heart, lungs, glands,
gastrointestinal organs, etc

SYMPATHETIC GANGLIA Ganglia of sympathetic division are

classified into three groups: A. Paravertebral or sympathetic
chain ganglia B. Prevertebral or collateral ganglia C. Terminal or
peripheral ganglia
Paravertebral or Sympathetic Chain Ganglia
Paravertebral or sympathetic chain ganglia are
arranged in a segmental fashion along the anterolateral
surface of vertebral column.
Ganglia on either side of the spinal cord are connected
with each other by longitudinal fibers, to form the
sympathetic chains Both the chains extend from skull to
coccyx.
Ganglia of the sympathetic chain (trunk) on each side are
divided into four groups: 1. Cervical ganglia : 8 in number
2. Thoracic ganglia : 12 in number 3. Lumbar ganglia : 5 in
number 4. Sacral ganglia : 5 in number
Prevertebral or Collateral Ganglia Prevertebral ganglia
are situated in thorax, abdomen and pelvis, in relation to
aorta and its branches. Prevertebral ganglia are: 1. Celiac
ganglion 2. Superior mesenteric ganglion 3. Inferior
mesenteric ganglion.
Prevertebral ganglia receive preganglionic fibers from T5
to L2 segments. Postganglionic fibers from these ganglia
supply the visceral organs of thorax, abdomen and pelvis.

Terminal or Peripheral Ganglia

Terminal ganglia are situated within or close to structures
innervated by them. Heart, bronchi, pancreas and urinary
bladder are innervated by the terminal ganglia.
PARASYMPATHETIC DIVISION
Parasympathetic division of ANS is otherwise called
the craniosacral outflow because, the fibers of this
division arise from brain and sacral segments of
spinal cord.
„ CRANIAL
OUTFLOW OR CRANIAL PORTION OF
PARASYMPATHETIC DIVISION Cranial outflow or cranial
portion of parasympathetic division arises from brainstem. It
innervates the blood vessels of head and neck and many
thoracoabdominal visceral organs. Cranial outflow includes the
following cranial nerves:
1. Oculomotor (III) nerve 2. Facial (VII) nerve 3. Glossopharyngeal
(IX) nerve 4. Vagus (X) nerve. Preganglionic fibers of these cranial
nerves arise from neurons situated at two different levels: 1. Tectal
or midbrain outflow (III cranial nerve) 2. Bulbar level or bulbar
outflow (VII, IX and X cranial nerves). Preganglionic fibers are longer
and reach the postganglionic neurons, which are situated within
the organs or close to the organs innervated by these nerves.
Preganglionic fibers are myelinated, but the postganglionic fibers
are non-myelinated.
„ FUNCTIONS OF ANS
Autonomic nervous system is concerned with the regulation of
functions, which are beyond voluntary control. By controlling
the various vegetative functions, ANS plays an important role in
maintaining constant internal environment (homeostasis).

Almost all the visceral organs are supplied by both sympathetic

and parasympathetic divisions of ANS and the two divisions
produce antagonistic effects on each organ.

When the fibers of one division supplying to an organ is

sectioned or affected by lesion, the effects of fibers from other
division on the organ become more prominent.