~ ~ ~ AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM ~ ~ ~ Ann Nguyen -- NYUCD 2008

Dr. Singh D1 Anatomy Notes -- Spring '05

SOMATIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Afferent Pathway (3 fibers)

○ Where can the afferent sensory fiber go…?
(1) synapses directly to a motor efferent cell body = simple reflex arc (2 fibers)
(2) synapses indirectly to a motor efferent cell body via an interneuron = complex reflex arc (3 fibers)
(3) information is conveyed contralaterally for conscious understanding: SPINAL CORD  THALAMUS  CORTEX (3 fibers)

• Efferent Pathway (2 fibers)

○ After you perceive the sensory info, muscle commands must be carried out…
(1) Upper motor efferent fiber in the CORTEX contralaterally synapses w/ a Lower motor efferent fiber in the VENTRAL HORN (2 fibers)
(2) Lower motor efferent fiber goes directly out to the PNS w/o stopping at a ganglion to supply SKELETAL MUSCLE

* * * Remember that it takes a chain of 3 somatic neurons to go afferently from the skin to the cortex,
* * * But only 2 somatic neurons to go efferently from the cortex to the skeletal muscle.

SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Afferent Pathway (2 fibers)

(1) information is conveyed to the hypothalamus

• Efferent Pathway (3 fibers)

(1) Upper efferent fiber in HYPOTHALAMUS synapses w/ Lower Preganglionic efferent fiber in LATERAL HORN (T1 – L3, some exceptions)
(2) Lower Preganglionic fiber can do any one of the following upon leaving the spinal cord…
- synapse in a ganglion located at the same level where they exited
- travel up or down a few levels before synapsing in a ganglion
- travel all the way up to 3 cervical ganglia = Superior, Middle, Inferior Cervical Ganglia
- travel all the way down to the 1 unpaired Coccygeal Ganglion Impar
- leave the spinal cord w/o synapsing at the paravertebral sympathetic ganglionic chain
(these are the splanchnic nerves… no postganglionic fibers = no grey rami)
(3) Lower PRE-ganglionic fiber (WHITE RAMI) synapses w/ Lower POST-ganglionic fiber (GREY RAMI) in the GANGLIA
(4) Postganglionic motor efferent fiber goes out to supply…
- smooth muscle
- cardiac muscle
- glands, viscera

* * * Somatic * * * Autonomic
afferent pathway = 3 neurons afferent pathway = 2 neurons
efferent pathway = 2 neurons efferent pathway = 3 neurons
ONE lower efferent neuron TWO lower efferent neurons that synapse at a ganglia
lower efferent neuron originates in ventral horn preganglionic efferent neuron originates in lateral horn
no ganglia prior to skeletal muscle innervation yes ganglia prior to smooth muscle / gland innervation

Compiled for you by:

 Ann Nguyen -- NYUCD 2008
D1 Anatomy Notes -- Spring '05

SYMPATHETIC PARASYMPATHETIC
Thoracolumbar Outflow = T1 – L3 lateral horns Craniosacral Outflow = S2, S3, S4 & brainstem
Ganglion = close to the spinal cord Ganglion = close to the target organ
Short preganglionic white fiber Long preganglionic white fiber
Long postganglionic grey fiber Short postganglionic grey fiber
Ganglionic NT = Acetylcholine Ganglionic NT = Acetylcholine
Target NT = Norepinephrine Target NT = Acertylcholine
Response is slow, generalized, long duration Response is fast, localized, short duration
3 cervical ganglia 4 cranial ganglia
• Superior • Ciliary (III)
• Middle • Pterygopalatine (VII)
• Inferior • Submandibular (VII)
• Otic (IX)
Splanchnic Nerves = T5 – T12 Splanchnic Nerves = S2, S3, S4
• Greater Splanchnic  Celiac Ganglion • Pelvic Splanchnic
• Lesser Splanchnic  Superior Mesenteric Ganglion
• Least Splanchnic  Inferior Mesenteric Ganglion

Sympathetic Superior Cervical Ganglion

- preganglionic fibers come from T1, T2
- postganglionic fibers  Internal Carotid Nerve
- forms a nerve plexus around the Internal Carotid Artery
- follows the Internal Carotid Artery into the cranial cavity
- supplies ALL cranial structures / viscera requiring sympathetic innervation
- salivary glands / lacrimal glands / palatine, pharyngeal, lingual tonsils
- pupil dilation

Parasympathetic Cranial Ganglia

• Ciliary Ganglion
- located in the Midbrain
- shares w/ CN III – Oculomotor
- preganglionic fibers come from Edinger-Westphal Nucleus
- postganglionic fibers go the eyeball for…
○ pupil constriction
○ accommodation (far → near focusing)

• Pterygopalatine Ganglion
- located in the Pons
- shares w/ CN VII – Facial
- preganglionic fibers come from Superior Salivitory Nucleus
- postganglionic fibers go to…
○ lacrimal gland
○ palatine gland
○ nasopharynx
○ maxillary sinus

• Submandibular Ganglion
- located in the Pons
- shares w/ CN VII – Facial
- preganglionic fibers come from Superior Salivitory Nucleus
- postganglionic fibers go to…
○ submandibular salivary gland
○ sublingual salivary gland

• Otic Ganglion
- located in the Medulla
- shares w/ CN IX – Glossopharyngeal
- preganglionic fibers come from Inferior Salivitory Nucelus
- postganglionic fibers go to…
○ parotid salivary gland

• Vagus Nerve has NO GANGLION!

- located in the Medulla
- shares w/ CN X – Vagus
- preganglionic fibers come from Dorsal Motor Nucleus Compiled for you by:
- postganglionic fibers go to thoracoabdominal viscera
 Ann Nguyen -- NYUCD 2008
D1 Anatomy Notes -- Spring '05

CILIARY GANGLION PTERYGOPALATINE GANGLION OTIC GANGLION

SUBMANDIBULAR GANGLION
 Ann Nguyen -- NYUCD 2008
D1 Anatomy Notes -- Spring '05