Autonomic Nervous System and Higher Order Functions Flashcards

Flashcards based on lecture notes about the Autonomic Nervous System and Higher Order Functions.

What is a key structural difference between the somatic and autonomic motor divisions?

The somatic motor division lacks ganglia, while autonomic motor pathways have ganglia.

What is the difference in effect when somatic motor neurons release ACh compared to the effects of autonomic fibers releasing norepinephrine or ACh?

The effect is always excitatory in the somatic motor division, whereas it can be excitatory or inhibitory in the autonomic nervous system.

What does the autonomic nervous system innervate?

Smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.

What are the structural components of the ANS?

Autonomic sensory neurons, integrating centers in the CNS, and autonomic motor neurons.

What type of sensory receptors provide the main input to the ANS?

Interoceptors.

Where are interoceptors located?

Blood vessels and viscera.

What are the two motor neurons in series that make up autonomic motor pathways?

Preganglionic and ganglionic (postganglionic) neurons.

Where is the perikaryon of the preganglionic neuron located, and where does its axon extend to?

It is located in the CNS; its axon extends to the autonomic ganglion.

Where is the perikaryon of the ganglionic neuron located, and where does its axon extend to?

It is completely outside the CNS; its axon extends to the effector organ.

What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?

Sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

List some typical responses during sympathetic division activation.

Increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, decreased digestive and urinary activity, increased respiratory rate, and increased energy demand.

Explain the pathway of preganglionic fibers that innervate abdominal pelvic viscera.

Preganglionic fibers pass through sympathetic chain ganglia without synapsing and synapse at collateral ganglia.

Name the three collateral ganglia.

Celiac, superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric ganglia.

List some typical responses during parasympathetic division activation.

Increased salivary and digestive secretions, decreased heart rate and blood pressure, and increased digestive and urinary function.

How do visceral reflexes differ from somatic reflexes?

They have a two motor neuron chain and are polysynaptic.

What are the two classifications of ANS synapses based on the neurotransmitter they produce?

Cholinergic and adrenergic synapses.

What are the two types of cholinergic receptors?

Nicotinic and muscarinic receptors.

What neurotransmitter is released at adrenergic synapses?

Norepinephrine (NE).

What condition may result from an overactive sympathetic vasoconstrictor response?

Hypertension.

What are the two main types of memory?

Fact and skill memories.

What are the two main classes of memory?

Short-term and long-term memories.

What are the two types of amnesia?

Retrograde and anterograde amnesia.