THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS

SYSTEM
Dra. Mara Elena Torres Zazueta
Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

OBJECTIVES
Compare the Somatic nervous system and the
Autonomic Nervous System.
Contrast the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches
of the autonomic nervous system based on: spinal cord
division of origin, length of preganglionic and
postganglionic neurons, neurotransmitters and receptors
at the ganglionic and target organ synapse.
List the major central nervous system control centers of
the ANS.

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

Function: To maintain a stable internal
environment
The activity of the autonomic neurons is
generally involuntary
Autonomic neurons are organized into
ganglia and plexi
Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

COMPARISON OF SOMATIC AND AUTONOMIC

NERVOUS SYSTEM

SOMATIC

PROPERTY

AUTONOMIC

A single neuron between Organization

CNS and target organ

2 neuron system:
Synapse occurs in a
peripheral ganglion before
innervation of target organ

Skeletal muscle

Target organs

Smooth, cardiac muscle,

glands and enteric nervous
system

Function

Can cause excitation or

inhibition of the target
organ

Causes excitation of
skeletal muscle

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

SOMATIC vs AUTONOMIC SYSTEMS

Silverthron. Human Physiology,. 2001

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

ANATOMICAL COMPARISON
FUNCTION
Outflow from
CNS

SYMPATHETIC PARASYMPATHETIC
Thoracolumbar

Ganglia location Close to CNS

Craniosacral
Close to target

Divergence of
impulses prepost

Great divergence
1-20

Little divergence 1 to
few

Distribution to
effectors
Mass discharge

Throughout body

More limited

Yes

No

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

DIVISION OF ANS
SYMPATHETIC
Thoracolumbar

PARASYMPATHETIC
Cranio-sacral

Koeppen B., Stanton. Berne & Levy Physiology.

2008

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

II. Subdivisions - Enteric

nervous system
Extensive nerve networks
in the gut wall
Regulates GI motor and
secretory activity
Innervated by:
S post-ganglionic
PS pre-ganglionic

Autonomic input
modulates intrinsic
activity of enteric NS
Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

Koeppen B., Stanton. Berne & Levy Physiology. 2008

NEUROTRANSMITTERS
SYMPATHETIC
Mostly Norepinephrine
Fibers secreting NE
ADRENERGIC

PARASYMPATHETIC
Acetylcholine
Fibers secreting Ach

CHOLINERGIC

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

TRANSMITTERS
In both systems ALL preganglionic fibers
are Cholinergic
All postganlionic Neurons of the PS are
Cholinergic
Postganglionic neurons of S are
Adrenergic
Exception: Sweat glands, piloerector muscles

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

Cholinergic

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

Johnson. Essential Medical Physiology. 1998

The cholinergic neuron

Koeppen B., Stanton. Berne & Levy Physiology. 2008

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

The noradrenergic neuron

1.

2.

3.

NE is removed from
secretory sites and
regulated by :
Re uptake into nerve
ending by active transport
(about 50 80% of secreted)
Diffused from nerve ending
to body
Destruction of small amounts
by tissue enzymes (MAO)

Diffused

Johnson. Essential Medical Physiology. 1998

DH DOPAMINA BETA HYDROXILASE

AAD aromatic L amino

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

RECEPTORS
ADRENERGIC
RECEPTORS

Receptors specific for

NE and E
Subtypes
-1

-2

-1

-2

CHOLINERGICIC
RECEPTORS

Receptors
specific for Ach
Two types
Muscarinic
Nicotinic

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

CHOLINERGIC RECEPTORS
MUSCARINIC
Located on target organ of PS fibers
Stimulation of muscarinic receptors will result in
activation or inactivation of many organs:
HEART
HR: stimulation of muscarinic
receptors on atrial pacemaker
cells
Increase in K+
permeability
prolongation of
phase 4.
Berne & Levy, Physiology. 2004

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

CHOLINERGIC RECEPTORS
MUSCARINIC
VASCULAR
SMOOTH MUSCLE
Produces vasodilation
decrease in BP

EYE
Pupillary constriction
(myosis)
Stuart., Ira., Fox. Human Physiology. 2001

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

Guanylyl
cyclase

Relaxation of vascular
smooth muscle by PS
Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

Boron & Boulpapep. Medical Physiology. 2009

MUSCARINIC
SECRETORY GLANDS
Sweat glands (innervated by sympathetic)
develop sweating
Salivary, lachrymal and intestinal glands all
possess muscarinic receptors that increase
secretion.

CNS
Undetermined
Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

NICOTINIC RECEPTORS
Found in all synapses between pre and
postganglionic neurons of both, Sympathetic
and Parasympathetic

Johnson.
Essential
Medical
Physiology.
1998

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

 RECEPTORS
Main function:
Pupil dilation
Intestinal relaxation
Intestinal sphincter contraction

Bladder sphincter contraction

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

 -1 RECEPTORS
Located postsynaptically at most sympathetic
neuroeffector synapses (except Heart &
Juxtaglomerual apparatus of kidney)
Function: Activation of these receptors is mostly
excitatory

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

 1 RECEPTORS
BLOOD VESSELS
Increase blood
pressure

EYE
Pupil dilation by
contraction of radial
muscle

GLANDS
Viscous salivation

Stuart., Ira., Fox. Human Physiology. 2001

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

 1 RECEPTORS
SPHINCTERS
Contraction of GI sphincters
Contraction of urinary sphincter

INHIBITION OF
GI
Urinary smooth muscle

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

 2 RECEPTORS
Found in postsynaptically as well as presynaptically
(autoreceptors) membranes of many autonomic end
organs
Same function as 1 receptors on:
Coronary, skin & mucosa vessels = constriction
Salivary glands & renal arterioles = constriction
Systemic veins = increase in tone
Gastric & intestinal motility & tone = decrease

Presynaptic membrane location act as a Negative

feedback for NE (inhibits release)
Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

 1 RECEPTORS
HEART

JG APPARATUS

The only receptors stimulated by NE

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

 2 RECEPTORS
Not innervated
No affinity for NE
High affinity for Epinephrine

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

 - RECEPTORS
-1

-2

Lipolysis

Vasodilation

Acceleration of Heat rate

Intestinal relaxation

Increase myocardial
strength
Renin secretion by
stimulation of granular cells
of juxtaglomerular
apparatus

Bladder wall relaxation

Uterus relaxation
Bronchodilation

Glycogenolysis

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

Agonist and Antagonist

Receptor

Agonist

Antagonist

Nicotinic

Ach, nicotine

Curare,
hexamethonium

Muscarinic

Ach, muscarine

Atropine

Alpha-adrenergic Epinephrinenorepinephrine

Phentolamine,

Beta-adrenergic

Propanolol

Epinephrinenorepinephrine

phenoxybenzamine

Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2013

Universidad Autnoma de GuadalajaraUniversidad
A.C. 2015

DUAL INNERVATION

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

Silverthron. Human Physiology,. 2001

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

Parasympathetic
Pupil constriction
Sphincter pupillae
muscle, cilliary
muscle
Sympathetic
Pupil dilation
Radial muscle
Dilator Iris

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

Cohn. Et al. NEJM. Vol 2. 2010

HEART
Parasympathetic
Decreases HR
Decreases cardiac
output

Sympathetic
Increases HR
Increases contractility
Increases CO

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

GI TRACT
Sympathetic:
Postganglionic neurons (celiac
ganglion)
Inhibition of gastric motility
Regulate blood flow
Control secretions

Parasympathetic:
Postganglionic neurons
(Myenteric plexus, submucosal
plexus)
Contraction of smooth muscle
Increased peristalsis
Increased glandular secretion

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

TONE
Sympathetic & Parasympathetic Tone
Allows a single stimulus to increase or
decrease activity of a stimulated organ
Ex: Blood pressure

Sympathetic
stimulation

Sympathetic
tone

Sympathetic
inhibition

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

Autonomic reflexes
Gastrointestinal reflexes
Cardiovascular reflex

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT REFLEXES

The meal: smell, taste,
distension of stomach,
food digestion products in
GI lumen
All contribute afferent
input
PS stimulation to GI tract
Stimulation of motor
activity and secretion
Silverthron. Human Physiology. 2001

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

BARORECEPTOR REFLEX
Aortic arch &
carotid sinus
Nucleus of the
solitary tract
Vasomotor Center
Inhibit the tonic
vasomotor
neurons and
Excite vagal
cardiomotor
neurons
Result= fall in BP
Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

Silverthron. Human Physiology,. 2001

Adrenergic responses of selected tissues

Organ or tissue

Receptor

Effect

Heart

Increased contractility,
increased heart rate

Blood vessels

1
2

Vasoconstriction
Vasodilation

Bronchioles

Dilation

Kidney

Increased renin
secretion

Liver

1
2

Increased glycogenolyis
Increased
gluconeogenesis

Pancreatic islet
cells

2
2

Decreased insulin
release, increased
insulin release

Adipose tissue

1, 2

Increased lipolysis

Skin

Increased sweating

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

Summary
Introduction to the Autonomic Nervous System
Comparison of somatic and autonomic nervous
system
The noradrenergic neuron
Receptors
Target organs
Reflexes

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2013

Images References
Evolve learning system. Koeppen, S., Stanton, S. (2008). Berne Levy.

Evolving learning sysmtem. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical

Physiology, 12th 2011
http://evolves.elsevier.com/com/section/default.asp?d=2091_global
_0001&mode=
Physiology. (6th Ed.). Philadelphia: Mosby Elsevier.
http://evolvels.elsevier.com/section/default.asp?id=1535_
global_0001
Boron, W., Boulpaep, E. (2009). Medical Physiology. (2nd Ed.).
Phyladelphia: Mosby-Elsevier.

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2013

Bibliography
Boron, W., Boulpaep, E. (2009). Medical Physiology. (2nd
Ed.). Philadelphia: Mosby-Elsevier.
Guyton, A., Hall, J. (2006). Textbook of Medical Physiology.
(11th Ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier-Saunders.
Koeppen, S., Stanton, S. (2008). Berne & Levy Physiology.
(6th Ed.). Philadelphia: Mosby-Elsevier.

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2015

Universidad Autnoma de Guadalajara A.C. 2013