Autonomic Nervous System Overview

These flashcards cover fundamental concepts of the autonomic nervous system, focusing on definitions, functions, and differences between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

The central nervous system (CNS) includes the and .

brain and spinal cord

The __ division conducts impulses from receptors to the CNS.

Sensory (afferent)

The __ division conducts impulses from the CNS to effectors like muscles and glands.

Motor (efferent)

The somatic nervous system controls __ muscle movements.

voluntary

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) conducts impulses to muscle, muscle, and glands.

cardiac, smooth

The sympathetic division mobilizes body systems during __.

activity

The parasympathetic division is responsible for conserving __ and promoting housekeeping functions.

energy

__ is the exaggerated responses of cardiac and smooth muscle when autonomic nerves are severed.

Denervation hypersensitivity

The autonomic pathways involve __ neurons to get to the target organ.

two

In the sympathetic division, neurotransmitter released is primarily __.

norepinephrine

The function of the parasympathetic division includes __ and waste elimination.

digestion

Autonomic tone is defined as the normal __ rate of autonomic activity.

background

Visceral reflexes are __, automatic, and stereotyped responses to stimulation.

unconscious

The major neurotransmitter for preganglionic neurons in both the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions is __.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

__ fibers in the sympathetic division secrete norepinephrine and are involved in adrenergic signaling.

Adrenergic

Muscarinic receptors are found in muscle, muscle, and glands.

cardiac, smooth

In sympathetic responses, __ can lead to increased blood flow and secretion.

Vasodilation

The hypothalamus serves as a major control center for __ motor functions.

visceral

Blood vessels exhibit sympathetic __ to maintain blood pressure.

vasomotor tone

During emergencies, blood flow is shifted to __ muscles and the heart.

skeletal

The effects of the sympathetic nervous system are often __ than those of the parasympathetic system.

longer lasting

Neurotransmitter receptors vary between target cells, resulting in diverse __.

responses

In dual innervation, most viscera receive nerve fibers from both sympathetic and __ divisions.

parasympathetic

Visceral reflex arcs differ from somatic reflex arcs in that they involve __ motor neurons.

two

The structures of the central nervous system involved in autonomic control include the __, __, brainstem, and spinal cord.

cerebral cortex, hypothalamus

The sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system increases __ and breathing rates.

heart rate

Parasympathetic tone holds resting heart rate to about __ beats per minute.

70 to 80

The __ system influences responses during powerful emotions like fear or anger.

limbic

The __ muscle is stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system to dilate the pupil.

pupillary dilator

Autonomic effects can be or , depending on the neurotransmitter and receptors involved.

excitatory, inhibitory

Effects on glandular secretion often result from the impact of neurotransmitters on __.

blood vessels

The adrenal medulla is an example of an effector that receives only __ fibers.

sympathetic

The __ receptors typically cause excitatory effects in smooth muscle.

alpha-adrenergic

Most blood vessels are kept partially __ through sympathetic tone.

constricted