Freshmen Year Program Medical Faculty Universitas Padjadjaran

Topics of Learning Issue

1. Contrasting the somatic and autonomic nervous system 2. The anatomy of autonomic nervous system 3. The physiology of the autonomic nervous system 4. The regulation of the autonomic nervous system

Contrasting the SNS and ANS

Spinal nerve

Somatic motor neuron

Skeletal muscle

Organization of Somatic Nervous System

The cell body of the somatic neuron is in the CNS (in the anterior horn of spinal cord) and its axon extends to the skeletal muscle (single neuron).

Contrasting the SNS and ANS

Autonomic ganglion

Preganglionic neuron

Postganglionic neuron

Organization of ANS
The cell body of the preganglionic neuron is in the CNS (in the lateral horn of spinal cord), and its axon extends to the autonomic ganglion and synapses with the postganglionic neuron. The postganglionic neuron extends to and synapses with its effector organ. ANS Effector organ (smooth has two-neuron chains. muscle of colon

Contrasting the SNS and ANS

General functional differences between Somatic Nervous System and Autonomic Nervous System
Somatic Nervous System
1. 2. Conscious Always excitatory 1. 2.

Autonomic Nervous System

Unconscious Excitatory and inhibitory (during meal ANS stimulate the stomach activities, during exercise inhibit)

Assignment
1. Contrast the somatic nervous system with the ANS for each of the following:
a. b. c. d. The number of neuron between the CNS and effector organ The location of neuron cells bodies The structure each innervates Conscious or unconscious control

2.

3.

Why are sensory neurons not classified as somatic or autonomic? Define the terms preganglionic neuron, postganglionic neuron, and autonomic ganglia.

Comparison of the Somatic and ANS

Feature Target tissues Regulation SNS Skeletal muscle Controls all conscious and unconscious movement of skeletal muscle ANS Smooth, cardiac muscle, and glands Unconscious regulation, although influenced by conscious mental function

Response to stimulation
Neuron arrangement

Skeletal muscle contract

One neuron extends from the CNS to skeletal muscle

Target tissues are stimulated or inhibited

Two neuron in series, the preganglionic from CNS to ganglion, postganglionic from ganglion to effectors Preganglionic neuron cell bodies are in autonomic nuclei of the cranial nerves and in the lateral part of the spinal cord; postganglionic neuron cell bodies are in the autonomic ganglia

Neuron cell body location

Neuron cell bodies are in motor nuclei of the cranial nerves and in the ventral horn of the spinal cord

Comparison of the Somatic and ANS ..

Feature Number of synapses SNS One synapse between the somatic motor neuron and the skeletal muscle Myelinated ANS Two synapses; first in autonomic ganglia; second is at the target tissues Preganglionic are myelinated; postganglionic are unmyelinated

Axon sheaths

Neurotransmitter substances

Acetylcholine

Acetylcholine is released by preganglionic neurons; either acetylcholine and norepinephrine is released by postganglionic neurons
In autonomic ganglia, receptor molecules for acetylcholine are nicotinic; in target tissues, receptor for acetylcholine are muscarinic, for norepinephrine are or - adrenergic

Receptor molecules

Receptor molecules for acetylcholine are nicotinic

Anatomy of ANS
Parasympathetic (Cranio-Sacral) Sympathetic (Thoraco-Lumbal)

Distribution of Autonomic Nerve Fibers

Sympathetic

Parasympathetic

INNERVATION OF ORGANS BY ANS

Routes Taken by Sympathetic Axons

Routes Taken by Sympathetic Axons

Comparison of the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic

Feature
Location of preganglionic cell body Outflow from the CNS

Sympathetic Division
Lateral horns of spinal cord gray matter (T1 L2) Spinal nerves Sympathetic nerves Splanchnic nerves Sympathetic chain ganglia for spinal and sympathetic nerves; collateral ganglia for splanchnic nerves Many (much divergence)

Parasympathetic division
Brainstem and lateral part of spinal gray matter (S2 S4) Cranial nerves Pelvic nerves Terminal ganglia near or on effector organ Few (less divergence)

Ganglia

Number of postganglionic neuron for each preganglionic neuron Relative length of neurons

Short preganglionic Long postganglionic

Long preganglionic Short postganglionic

Enteric Nervous System

The enteric nervous system consists of nerve plexuses within wall of the digestive tract. Plexuses have contributions from three sources: (1) sensory neurons that connect the digestive tract to CNS, (2) ANS motor neurons that connect the CNS to the digestive tract, and (3) enteric neurons, which are confined to enteric plexuses. The CNS is ..

Enteric Nervous System

The CNS is capable of monitoring the digestive tract through sensory neurons and controlling its smooth muscle and glands through ANS motor neuron. Types of enteric neurons:
(1) Enteric sensory neurons can detect changes in the chemical composition of contents of the digestive tract and detect stretch of digestive tract wall. (2) .

Enteric Nervous System

(2) Enteric motor neurons can stimulate or inhibit smooth muscle contraction and gland secretion (3) Enteric interneurons connect enteric sensory and motor neurons to each other

Although the enteric neurons are capable of controlling the activities of the digestive tract completely independently of the CNS, normally the two systems work together

The Physiology of the ANS

Neurotransmitter
Acetylcholine released by preganglionic neuron (parasympathetic and sympathetic) and postganglionic neuron of parasympathetic (cholinergic neuron) Norepinephrine released by postganglionic neuron of sympathetic division (adrenergic neuron)

Receptors
Cholinergic receptors (nicotinic and muscarinic) Adrenergic receptors [alpha () and beta ()]

Neurotransmitter
Sympathetic

Parasympathetic

Classes of Receptor for Acetylcholine, Norepinephrine, and Epinephrine

1. Receptor for acetylcholine
a. Nicotinic receptor
On postganglionic neuron in the autonomic ganglia At neuromuscular junction of skeletal muscle On some CNS neuron On smooth muscle On cardiac muscle On gland cells On some CNS neuron On some neuron of autonomic ganglia (although the great majority of receptor at this site are nicotinic)

b.

Muscarinic receptor

2.

Receptor for norepinephrine and epinephrine

On smooth muscle On cardiac muscle On gland cells On some CNS neuron

Some Effects of ANS Activity

Effector Organ
Eyes Iris Ciliary muscle

Receptor Type

Sympathetic Effect
Contract radial muscle (mydriasis) Relaxes (flattens lens for far vision)

Parasympathetic Effect
Constrict sphincter muscle (Myosis) Contracts (allow lens to become more convex for near vision) Decrease heart rate Decrease contractility Decrease conduction velocity Decrease contractility slightly

Heart SA node Atria AV node Ventricles

Increase heart rate Increase contractility Increase conduction velocity Increase contractility

Some Effects of ANS Activity (cont.)

Effector Organ
Arterioles Coronary

Receptor Type

Sympathetic Effect
Constricts Dilates Constricts Constricts Dilate Constricts Dilates Constricts Constricts Dilates

Parasympathetic Effect
--

Skin Skeletal muscle

Abdominal viscera Salivary gland

Does not innervates --Dilates --

Veins

Some Effects of ANS Activity (cont.)

Effector Organ Receptor Type Sympathetic Effect
Relaxes Inhibit secretion Stimulates secretion Stimulate watery secretion Stimulates enzyme secretion Decreases Contracts Inhibits (?)

Parasympathetic Effect
Contracts Stimulate secretion Stimulate watery secretion

Lungs Bronchial muscle Bronchial glands Salivary gland Stomach Motility Sphincters Secretion

&

Increases Relaxes Stimulates

Some Effects of ANS Activity (cont.)

Effector Organ
Intestine Motility Sphincters Secretion Gallbladder Liver

Receptor Type
& &

Sympathetic Effect
Decreases Contracts (usually) Inhibits Relaxes Glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis Inhibits secretion Inhibits secretion Stimulates secretion

Parasympathetic Effect
Increases Relaxes (usually) Stimulates Contracts --

Pancreas Exocrine glands Endocrine glands

Stimulates secretion --

Some Effects of ANS Activity (cont.)

Effector Organ
Fat cells Kidneys Urinary bladder Bladder wall Sphincter Uterus Reproductive tract (male)

Receptor Type
&

Sympathetic Effect Parasympathetic Effect

Increase fat breakdown Increases renin secretion Relaxes Contracts Contracts in pregnancy Relaxes Ejaculation --Contracts Relaxes Variable Erection

Some Effects of ANS Activity (cont.)

Effector Organ
Skin Muscle causing hair erection Sweat glands Lacrimal gland

Receptor Type

Sympathetic Effect Parasympathetic Effect

Contracts Localized secretion Secretion -Generalized secretion Secretion

Regulation of the ANS

Much of the regulation occurs through autonomic reflexes and influenced by input from cerebrum, hypothalamus, and others Without regulatory activity of the ANS, an individual has limited ability to maintain homeostasis

Autonomic Reflexes

Parasympathetic reflex. Increased blood pressure increases stimulation of the heart by vagus increases inhibition and lowers heart rate

Autonomic Reflexes

Sympathetic reflex. Decreased blood pressure increases stimulation of the heart by sympathetic nerves increases heart rate and force

Influence of Higher Part of the Brain on ANS

Cerebrum and limbic system: Thought and emotions can influence ANS functions through the hypothalamus

Influence of Higher Part of the Brain on ANS

Hypothalamus: ANS integrating center that interacts with the cerebrum, limbic system, brainstem, and spinal cord; also regulates body temperature

Influence of Higher Part of the Brain on ANS

Brainstem: ANS reflex centers for controlling pupils size, accommodation, tear production, salivation, coughing, swallowing, digestive activities, heart rate and force of contraction, blood vessel diameter, and respiration

Influence of Higher Part of the Brain on ANS

Spinal cord: ANS reflex centers for regulating defecation, urination, penile and clitoral erection, and ejaculation