13 Ans

Chapter 15
The Autonomic
Nervous System
Lecture slides prepared by Curtis DeFriez, Weber State University
Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
CNS: PNS:
Brain Cranial
Spinal nerves
cord Spinal
nerves
Ganglia
Enteric
plexuses
in small
intestine
Sensory
receptors
in skin
(a)
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS): brain and spinal cord
(Somatic and Somatic motor Autonomic Autonomic motor Enteric motor Enteric sensory

special sensory neurons sensory receptors neurons neurons receptors and
receptors and (voluntary) and autonomic (involuntary): (involuntary) enteric sensory
somatic sensory sensory neurons sympathetic and in enteric neurons in GI tract
neurons) parasympathetic plexuses and enteric
divisions plexuses
Smooth muscle,
Smooth muscle,
Skeletal muscle glands, and
cardiac muscle,
endocrine cells of
and glands
GI tract
Somatic Nervous System (SNS) Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Enteric Nervous System (ENS)
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS): all nervous tissue outside the CNS
(b)

Introduction to the ANS
 The autonomic nervous system contributes to
homeostasis by responding to subconscious visceral

sensations and exciting or inhibiting smooth muscle,
cardiac muscle, and many glands.

 Structurally, the ANS includes autonomic sensory
neurons, integrating centers in the CNS, and autonomic
motor neurons.
 The enteric division is a specialized network of nerves
and ganglia forming an independent nerve network

within the wall of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Somatic Nervous System
vs
Autonomic Nervous System

Somatic vs. Autonomic Pathways
CNS Skeletal
muscle
Autonomic ganglia
CNS Smooth muscle,

cardiac muscle,
glands
Preganglionic Postganglionic
neuron neuron
SNS  1 Neuron spans the distance from CNS to effectors

ANS  2 neurons span the distance fromCopyright
CNS© John
to Wiley
effectors
& Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
 While both the ANS and the somatic nervous system (SNS)
include sensory and motor neurons, the ANS has many
distinctive features which set it apart.
 Perhaps the biggest difference between these two systems
is the involvement of conscious control.

• The SNS mainly receives information via exteroceptors;
tactile, thermal, pain, and proprioceptive sensations are

consciously perceived. Skeletal muscle is the main tool
used to provide reflexive and voluntary movement.

 If a somatic motor neuron ceases to stimulate a muscle,
the result is a paralyzed, limp muscle that has no tone.
 Although we are generally not conscious of breathing,
the muscles that generate respiratory movements are
skeletal muscles controlled by somatic motor neurons.
• If the respiratory motor neurons become inactive,

breathing stops.

 The ANS usually operates without conscious control.
Centers in the hypothalamus and brain stem provide
regulation for ANS reflexes.
 Sensory receptors called interoceptors located in blood
vessels, visceral organs, muscles, and the nervous system
monitor conditions in the internal environment.
• Examples of interoceptors are chemoreceptors that
monitor blood CO2 level and mechanoreceptors that

detect the degree of stretch in the walls of organs or
blood vessels.
ANS Motor Pathways
 Autonomic motor neurons regulate visceral activities by
either increasing (exciting) or decreasing (inhibiting)
ongoing activities in their effector tissues.
 Because autonomic responses cannot be consciously
altered to any great degree, some autonomic responses
are the basis for polygraph (“lie detector”) tests.
 However, practitioners of yoga and biofeedback
techniques may learn how to regulate at least some of

their autonomic activities through long practice.
 The anatomy of all autonomic pathways can best be
understood by picturing a neuronal construct consisting of a
myelinated preganglionic neuron leading to an intermediate
ganglion that contains the cell bodies of
un-myelinated post-
ganglionic neurons
(that innervate an effector).

Autonomic
motor neurons NE
ACh
Sympathetic Sympathetic
preganglionic Effectors: glands, cardiac
postganglionic
Spinal cord neuron Autonomic muscle (in heart), and smooth
neuron
(myelinated) ganglion muscle (e.g., in urinary
(unmyelinated)
bladder)
Adrenal cortex Chromaffin cell
Adrenal medulla Epinephrine
and NE
ACh
Blood vessel
Sympathetic
Spinal cord
preganglionic Adrenal medulla
neuron
(myelinated)
ACh
ACh
Spinal cord Parasympathetic

Autonomic Parasympathetic
preganglionic Effectors: glands,
ganglion postganglionic
neuron cardiac muscle (in
neuron
(myelinated) heart), and smooth
(unmyelinated)
muscle (e.g., in urinary
(b) Autonomic nervous system bladder)


Interactions Animation
The ANS: An Introduction Animation
You must be connected to the internet to run this animation

Divisions of the ANS
 Most body organs have dual ANS innervation; that is,
they receive impulses from both sympathetic and
parasympathetic neurons.
 Usually the nerve impulses from one division
stimulate an organ, while impulses from the other
division decrease activity.

Quick ANS vs SNS review
ANS SNS
Control of Motor Output Involuntary Voluntary
Sensory Input From interoceptors located From exteroceptors.
in blood vessels, visceral Feedback via tactile,
organs, muscles, and the thermal, pain, and
nervous system proprioceptive sensations
Motor Neuron Pathway 2 Motor Neuron Pathway 1 Motor Neuron Pathway

(#)
~Preganglionic(myelinated)
~Postganglionic(no
myelin)
Motor Neuron Autonomic motor neurons Somatic motor neurons
~Sympathetic
~Parasympathetic
Effector Sm mm Skeletal Muscle
Cardiac mm
Gland
Response Contr/Relax sm mm Contraction of skeletal mm
Inc/Dec rate & force cardiac
mm
Inc/Dec secretion of gland
ANS SNS
Neurotransmitter Preganglionic- Ach ACh
Post-ganglionc:
~sympathetic- NE
~~ACh
~~~ sweat glands,
~~~ BV in skeletal mm
~parasympathetic-Ach

Sympathetic vs
Parasympathetic

Divisions of the ANS
 Furthermore, the responses of the various organs to
ANS stimulation neatly group into two functional
categories :
 Like children on a teeter-totter, the sympathetic
divisions “fight or flight” response is balanced

against the “rest and relax” (or rest and digest)
activities of the parasympathetic division.

Anatomical and Physiological Differences between the
Parasympathetic and Sympathetic Divisions
Characteristic Parasympathetic Sympathetic
Functional goal Maintenance functions; Prepares body to cope

conserves and stores with emergencies and
energy intense muscular
activity

Origin Craniosacral outflow: Thoracolumbar
brainstem nuclei of outflow: lateral horn of
cranial nerves III, VII, gray matter of spinal
IX and X; spinal cord cord segments T1-L2
segments S2-S4
Location of ganglia Ganglia in or close to Ganglia within a few

visceral organ served cm of CNS: alongside
(intramural = terminal) vertebral column
(paravertebral ganglia)
and anterior to vertebral
column (prevertebral
ganglia)

Divisions of
the ANS

Divisions of
the ANS

The Sympathetic (Thoracolumbar)
 Some of the major groups Division
of sympathetic ganglia include:
( paravertebral, prevertebral, {adrenal medulla})
The Paravertebral Ganglia aka
(sympathetic trunk/ vertebral chain)
 Lie on either side of the vertebral column
from base of skull to coccyx
 Innervate organs above the diaphragm
 (head, neck, shoulders, heart)
 Composed of 3 ganglia
 superior, middle and inferior
cervical ganglia

Division
Some of the major groups of sympathetic ganglia include:
( paravertebral/prevertebral/{adrenal medulla})
 Prevertebral ganglia
 Lie anterior to the vertebral column
 Innervate organs below the
diaphragm
 Composed of 5 ganglia
 celiac, superior
mesenteric, inferior
mesenteric, aorticorenal
and renal ganglia
Division
 In addition to the major groups of sympathetic ganglia
(paravertebral/prevertebral/{adrenal medulla})
The Adrenal Medullae acts
as a modified sympathetic ganglia
 Chromaffin cells act like
postganglionic neurons lacking

dendrites and axons.
• Release NE and Epi into
the blood

The Sympathetic Division
Major groups of sympathetic ganglia .

Division
 A truism of the sympathetic division is that a single
sympathetic preganglionic fiber synapses with many
postganglionic branches (with 20 or more) to create a
diverging circuit.
 The postganglionic axons typically terminate in
several different visceral effectors, making the effects of

sympathetic stimulation a widespread massive response.
• This is why anger can be hard to control – it is such a
diffuse response.
The Sympathetic Division
 This schematic
illustrates the outflow
of the sympathetic
division of the ANS
via thoracolumbar
pathways to the
many organs of the
body.

The Parasympathetic (Craniosacral)
Division
 The cell bodies of preganglionic neurons which
participate in motor responses of the parasympathetic
nervous system are located in nuclei of 4 cranial nerves
in the brainstem (III, VII, IX and X) and in the lateral
gray matter of sacral areas of the spinal cord (S 2-S4 ).
 The vagus nerve (CN X) carries nearly 80% of the
total parasympathetic flow to the organs of the thorax

and upper abdomen.
 Lower abdominal and pelvic organs are innervated by
the sacral output. Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Division
 Parasympathetic (cranial-sacral) ganglia are called
terminal ganglia because they are located far from their

origin at the “terminal” ends of the pathways (near the
target organs).
 Four pairs of cranial parasympathetic ganglia
innervate structures in the head: The ciliary,

pterygopalatine, submandibular, and otic ganglia.

Most of the parasympathetic ganglia are located
very close to the organs or intended action.
 From the terminal Division
ganglia,
postganglionic axons innervate
smooth muscle and glands in
the walls of the colon, ureters,
urinary bladder, and
reproductive organs

Division
 In contrast to the sympathetic system, the
parasympathetic response is more controlled.
 Presynaptic parasympathetic neurons usually synapse
with only 4–5 postsynaptic neurons, all of which

supply a single visceral effector. Parasympathetic
stimulation leads to a narrow, focused action on
specific organs.

Relative length of Long preganglionic; Short preganglionic;
pre- and short postganglionic long postganglionic
postganglionic fibers
Degree of branching Minimal Extensive

of preganglionic
fibers

Neurotransmitters All fibers release All preganglionic fibers release
acetylcholine acetylcholine; most post-
(cholinergic fibers) ganglionic fibers release
norepinephrine (adrenergic
fibers); some postganglionic
fibers (e.g., those serving the
sweat glands, blood vessels of
skeletal muscles and arrector
pili muscles) release
acetylcholine; neurotransmitter
activity augmented by release
of adrenal medullary hormones
(norepinephrine and
epinephrine)
Sympathetic Division
Short Long
preganglionic postganglionic
axon axon Effector
organ
Ach Nicotinic NE alpha (1&2)

receptor beta (1,2&3)
excitatory

Sympathetic Division
Short Long
axon axon Sweat
glands
Ach Nicotinic Ach Muscarinic

receptor receptor
excitatory excitatory or inhibitory

Parasympathetic Division
Long Short
axon axon
Effector
organ
Ach Nicotinic Ach Muscarinic

receptor receptor
excitatory excitatory or inhibitory

The division of the sympathetic and parasympathetic
divisions of the ANS are compared in Table 15.3
ANS Neurotransmitters
 The total number of neurotransmitters used in the entire
nervous system is not known, but is well over 100.
 only 2, acetylcholine and norepinephrine, are used to
any great degree.

• Synapses at which ACh is used are termed cholinergic.
• Synapses at which norepinephrine or epinephrine are
used are termed adrenergic.

 The neurotransmitter used in all of the synapses of sympathetic and
parasympathetic ganglia between the synapses of the preganglionic and
postganglionic fibers is acetylcholine.
 Receptors that respond to Ach released by cholinergic neurons are
called cholinergic receptors and there are 2 subtypes: nicotinic

receptors (found in the ganglia) and muscarinic receptors (found
in the synapses with the effector organs).
 The neurotransmitter used at the synapse of sympathetic postganglionic
neurons and their effectors (sm mm, cardiac mm, glands) is NE
 Receptors that respond to Epi or NE are called adrenergic receptors
and there are 2 main types: Alpha1&2 subtypes Beta1,2&3 subtypes

Acetylcholine, released from sympathetic

and parasympathetic preganglionic
neurons (cholinergic) acts on a
cholinergic receptors (called nicotinic
receptors) at ganglia of the ANS.
 The neurotransmitter used
at all parasympathetic
postganglionic synapses
is Ach.
It acts on a cholinergic
receptor (called
muscarinic receptors) at
the effector organ .

 The neurotransmitter used at most
sympathetic postganglionic synapses
is norepinephrine. It acts on
adrenergic receptors
 The exception to this rule is that

ACh is used at sympathetic
postganglionic synapses for sweat
glands and blood vessels of skeletal
muscle. Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Neurotransmitters and Receptors
 Α1 (adrenergic receptor)
• Smooth muscle of blood vessels (excitation;
vasoconstriction)
• radial muscles of eye (dilation of pupil)
• sphincter muscles of stomach and urinary bladder
(closing)
• salivary gland cells (decreased salivation)
• sweat glands on palms and soles (increased sweating)

 α2 (Adrenergic Receptor)
• Smooth muscle in some blood vessels (inhibition;
vasodilation)
• beta cells in pancreatic islets (decrease insulin secretion)
• pancreatic acinar cells (inhibition of digestive enzyme
secretion)
• blood platelets (aggregation)

 β1 (Adrenergic Receptor)
• Cardiac muscle (excitation; increased force and rate of
contraction)
• posterior pituitary (secretion of antidiuretic hormones)
• adipose cells (breakdown of triglycerides)

 Β2 (Adrenergic receptor)
• Smooth muscle in airways (relaxation; bronchodilation)
• blood vessels (relaxation; vasodilation)
• walls of internal organs (relaxation)
• cillary muscles (inhibition; relaxation)
• hepatocytes (glycogenolysis)
 Β3 (adrenergic receptor) – Brown adipose tissue
(thermogenesis)

Neurons and Neurotransmitters of the
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Cell body in brain or Cell body in intramural

spinal cord ganglion
Acetylcholine (ACh) Acetylcholine (ACh)

Neurons and Neurotransmitters of
the Sympathetic Nervous System
oCell body in lateral horn of Cell body in sympathetico

ospinal cord chain gangliono
(norepinephrine, NE) ol
oAcetylcholine (ACh)
except sweat glands (Ach) o

ANS Neurotransmitters and Neurons Animation

Physiology of the ANS
 SLUDD is as an acronym used to describe the responses of
the parasympathetic nervous system:
 Salivation (increased)
 Lacrimation (increased)
 Urination (increased)
 Digestion (increased)
 Defecation (increased)
• … and 3 decreases (in the rate and force of the heart
beat, airway size and rate of breathing, and pupil size)

 The symp’E’thetic nervous system uses “E” situations to describe its
responses
 Exercise, Emergency, Excitement, Embarrassment
 Blood vessels to non-essential organs constrict (GI tract and Kidney)
 Blood vessels to essential organs dilate (skeletal mm, cardiac mm,
brain)
 Liver cells perform glycogenolysis and release glucose to blood
stream
 Lipid cells perform lipolysis
 … and 3 increases {instead of decreases} (in the rate and force of the
heart beat, airway size and rate of breathing, and pupil size)
 The balance of autonomic sympathetic-parasympathetic tone is
regulated by feedback loops between the spinal cord and
brainstem, with input from the limbic system and oversight by
the hypothalamus.
Physiological Effects of the ANS Animation

Review Questions
Review questions are not exact exam questions, and do not
cover all exam material. Please review all information.
1. What are the 2 main divisions of the ANS?

2. ANS vs SNS ( sensory input, #of neurons in motor pathway, Effector, response,
and neurotransmitter release)
3. Sympathetic vs parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
Functional goal, Origin, Length of fibers, location of ganglia,
4. What are the 2 major sympathetic ganglia? How is the medulla associated with
sympathetic ganglia?
5. Which cranial nerve carries the majority of the parasympathetic outflow
6. What are the 2 main neurotransmitters of the ANS?
7. Define cholinergic synapses/neuron and adrenergic synapses/neurons
8. Define cholinergic receptors and adrenergic receptors. What are the sutypes?
Name the location of each subtype.
9. Name the physiological effects of sympathetic stimulation
10. Name the physiological effects of parasympathetic stimulation

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Chapter 15

(Somatic and Somatic motor Autonomic Autonomic motor Enteric motor Enteric sensory

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

homeostasis by responding to subconscious visceral

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

and ganglia forming an independent nerve network

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

CNS Smooth muscle,

SNS  1 Neuron spans the distance from CNS to effectors

is the involvement of conscious control.

tactile, thermal, pain, and proprioceptive sensations are

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

• If the respiratory motor neurons become inactive,

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

monitor blood CO2 level and mechanoreceptors that

techniques may learn how to regulate at least some of

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Spinal cord Parasympathetic

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

You must be connected to the internet to run this animation

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Motor Neuron Pathway 2 Motor Neuron Pathway 1 Motor Neuron Pathway

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

divisions “fight or flight” response is balanced

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Functional goal Maintenance functions; Prepares body to cope

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Location of ganglia Ganglia in or close to Ganglia within a few

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

 Lie anterior to the vertebral column

 Innervate organs below the

postganglionic neurons lacking

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Major groups of sympathetic ganglia .

several different visceral effectors, making the effects of

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

total parasympathetic flow to the organs of the thorax

terminal ganglia because they are located far from their

innervate structures in the head: The ciliary,

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

with only 4–5 postsynaptic neurons, all of which

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Degree of branching Minimal Extensive

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ach Nicotinic NE alpha (1&2)

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ach Nicotinic Ach Muscarinic

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ach Nicotinic Ach Muscarinic

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

any great degree.

• Synapses at which norepinephrine or epinephrine are

used are termed adrenergic.

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

called cholinergic receptors and there are 2 subtypes: nicotinic

and there are 2 main types: Alpha1&2 subtypes Beta1,2&3 subtypes

Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.