Question | Answer |
the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is also called | cholinergic (ACh) |
the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is also called | adrenergic (adrenaline) |
commonly used to describe the sympathetic (adrenergic) response | "fight or flight" response (diffuse response) |
commonly used to describe the parasympathetic (cholinergic) response | "rest and digest" response (discrete response) |
presynaptic neurotransmitter for sympathetic (adrenergic) division | ACh |
presynaptic neurotransmitter for parasympathetic (cholinergic) division | ACh |
presynaptic NT for autonomic NS | ACh (presynaptic for both parasympathetic and sympathetic) |
sympathetic (adrenergic) effects on the eye | contraction of the iris radial muscle (pupil dilates) |
mydraisis | large/widened pupil |
miosis | small/narrowed pupil |
parasympathetic (cholinergic) effects on the eye | contraction of the iris sphincter muscle (pupil contracts); contraction of ciliary muscle (accommodates for near vision) |
sympathetic (adrenergic) effects on the trachea/bronchioles | dilates (smooth muscle of lungs has B2 receptors, but no adrenergic innervation; smooth muscle of arterioles in lungs has B2 receptors and does have sympathetic innervation) |
parasympathetic (cholinergic) effects on the trachea/bronchioles | constricts, increases secretions |
sympathetic (adrenergic) effects on the adrenal medulla | epinepherine and nor-epinepherine are secreted |
parasympathetic (cholinergic) effects on the adrenal medulla | no innervation |
sympathetic (adrenergic) effects on the kidney via alpha-1 receptors | decreased renin secretion |
sympathetic (adrenergic) effects on the kidney via beta-1 receptors | increased renin secretion |
function of detrusor muscle (bladder) | layer of bladder wall made of smooth muscle fibers; When bladder is stretched, this signals the parasympathetic nervous system to contract the detrusor muscle which encourages the bladder to expel urine through the urethra |
function of trigone muscle (bladder) | smooth triangular region of bladder that is very sensitive to expansion and once stretched to a certain degree, brain of its need to empty. The signals become stronger as the bladder continues to fill. |
function of urethral sphincter (internal/involuntary) | primary muscle for prohibiting the release of urine |
sympathetic (adrenergic) effects on the ureters and bladder | relaxes detrusor; contracts sphincter and trigone; prevents urination |
parasympathetic (cholinergic) effects on the ureters and bladder | contracts detrusor; relaxes sphincter and trigone; promotes urination |
sympathetic (adrenergic) effects on the male genitalia | stimulates ejaculation |
parasympathetic (cholinergic) effects on male genitalia | stimulates erection |
parasympathetic (cholinergic) effects on the lacrimal gland | stimulates tears |
sympathetic (adrenergic) effects on the salivary glands | thick, viscid secretions |
parasympathetic (cholinergic) effects on the salivary glands | copious, watery secretions |
sympathetic (adrenergic) effects on the lacrimal gland | no innnervation |
sympathetic (adrenergic) effects on the heart | increased HR; increased contractility |
parasympathetic (cholinergic) effects on the heart | decreased HR; decreased contractility |
sympathetic (adrenergic) effects on the gastrointestinal system | decreased muscle motility and tone; contraction of sphincters |
parasympathetic (cholinergic) effects on the gastrointestinal system | increased muscle motility and tone (decreased sphincter tone except gastroesophageal sphincter which is increased) |
sympathetic (adrenergic) effects on the female genitalia | relaxation of uterus |
parasympathetic (cholinergic) effects on the blood vessels in skeletal muscle | dilatation (arterioles contain muscarinic receptors but no parasympathetic innervation, except in the penis) |
parasympathetic (cholinergic) effects on the female genitalia | no innervation |
sympathetic (adrenergic) effects on the blood vessels in skeletal muscle | no innervation |
sympathetic (adrenergic) effects on the blood vessels in skin, mucous membrane, splanchnic area) | constriction |
parasympathetic (cholinergic) effects on the blood vessels in skin, mucous membrane, splanchnic area) | no innervation |
cranial nerves important to the autonomic nervous system | CN 3, 7, 9, 10 |
cholinergic receptors important to autonomic nervous system | Nn (nicotinic neuron), Nm (nicotinic skeletal muscle), M1 - M5 |
Nn, Nm - receptor type | associated with ion channels; cholinergic |
M1 - M5: receptor type | GPCRs; cholinergic |
adrenergic receptors important to autonomic nervous system | Alpha-1, Alpha-2, Beta-1, Beta-2 |
Alpha-1, Alpha-2, Beta-1, Beta-2: receptor types | all GPCRs, adrenergic |
location of ganglia in the parasympathetic NS | ganglia are close to the organ |
location of ganglia in the sympathetic NS | ganglia lie near the vertebral column |
postganglionic NT in the parasympathetic NS | ACh |
postganglionic NT in the sympathetic NS | norepinepherine (NE) |
two places where postganglionic NT in the sympathetic NS is not NE | adrenal medulla and sweat glands (postganglioic NT is ACh) |
the receptors on the post-ganglionic neuron in the autonomic NS is always this type of receptor | Nn (ACh) - same for parasympathetic and sympathetic (i.e., ACh is the preganglionic transmitter so the postganglion receptor must be ACh receptor) |