Integration and Control of ANS Activity

autonomic plexuses

nerve networks located in thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

Autonomic plexuses have a mixture of ______________ and ________________

sympathetic postganglionic fibers and parasympathetic preganglionic fibers

Major autonomic plexuses of the ANS include

cardiac, pulmonary, esophageal, celiac, inferior mesenteric, hypogastric

autonomic tone

resting level of spontaneous activity in the ANS neurons, even in the absence of stimuli; allows for adjustment in eitther direction

visceral reflexes

automatic neural responses whose arcs involve motor neurons of the ANS; polysynaptic; long or short

long reflex arc

interneuron in CNS synapses with a preganglionic neuron; controls activity of entire neuron

short reflex arc

interneuron in autonomic ganglion synapses with a ganglionic neuron; controls activity of small region in organ

reflex centers in the medulla oblongata:

individual nuclei control each reflex or group of reflexes; influenced by hypothalamic centers

autonomic centers in the hypothalamus:

integrate input from the limbic system, thalamus, and cerebral cortex; coordinates activities of reflex centers in brain stem

What links the control centers?

the limbic system

cerebral cortex

control center of SNS

hypothalamus

control center of the ANS