Autonomic Nervous System Quiz

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and breathing.

Homeostasis is the process of maintaining a stable internal environment in the body, despite changes in the external environment.

The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response. It prepares the body for stressful or active situations.

The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is responsible for the 'rest-and-digest' response. It conserves energy and promotes relaxation.

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a network of neurons embedded in the walls of the digestive tract. It controls digestion and gut motility.

The sympathetic nervous system uses a two-neuron relay to transmit signals. The preganglionic neuron releases acetylcholine (Ach) at the synapse with the postganglionic neuron.

Preganglionic neurons in the sympathetic nervous system are located in the spinal cord, specifically between levels T1 and L2.

Postganglionic neurons in the sympathetic nervous system have long, non-myelinated axons that extend to target organs such as smooth muscle, glands, and cardiac muscle.

The majority of postganglionic neurons in the sympathetic nervous system use this neurotransmitter.

These neurons are responsible for actions like sweating and raising hairs on the skin.

These nerves are involved in various functions, including pupil constriction, heart rate slowing, and digestion.

This type of parasympathetic neuron releases acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter.

These neurons are responsible for releasing acetylcholine onto target organs.

These neurons are located in the peripheral tissues, outside the spinal cord.

These neurons release acetylcholine and are responsible for the actions of the parasympathetic nervous system.

These neurons are located close to the target organs, unlike the sympathetic ganglia which are mostly near the spinal cord.

A short, myelinated fiber tract that carries preganglionic sympathetic axons from the spinal nerve to the sympathetic chain ganglia.

A cluster of nerve cell bodies outside the central nervous system, where preganglionic sympathetic neurons synapse with postganglionic neurons.

The route where a preganglionic sympathetic axon travels up or down the sympathetic chain to synapse at a different level.

Sympathetic ganglia located outside the sympathetic chain, targeting the abdomen and pelvis.

Nerves that carry preganglionic sympathetic axons from the spinal cord to the prevertebral ganglia.

The activity of post-ganglionic sympathetic neurons in the cervical ganglion leads to pupil dilation in the eye and eyelid retraction.

The sympathetic nervous system increases saliva viscosity, but not its volume.

The sympathetic nervous system increases heart rate, force of contraction, and dilates the coronary arteries.

A specialized part of the adrenal gland responsible for secreting hormones like adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) into the bloodstream.

Pre-ganglionic sympathetic neurons directly stimulate the adrenal medulla, triggering the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Cranial Nerve III, also known as the Oculomotor nerve, connects to the ciliary ganglion, which controls eye movements.

Cranial Nerve VII (Facial Nerve) connects to the pterygopalatine ganglion, responsible for controlling tear production from the lacrimal gland, and the submandibular ganglion, which controls saliva production from the submandibular salivary glands.

Cranial Nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal Nerve) connects to the otic ganglion, which regulates saliva production from the parotid salivary gland.

Cranial nerve X (Vagus Nerve) extends throughout the body, sending preganglionic parasympathetic nerves to various target tissues, such as the heart, lungs and digestive system.

Adrenergic receptors, found on target cells, bind to adrenaline and noradrenaline, initiating physiological responses.

Adrenergic receptors are a type of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that initiate cellular responses after adrenaline and noradrenaline binding. They are involved in slow, long-lasting effects.

A network of neurons within the walls of the digestive tract that controls digestion and gut motility.

Located between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers of the gut, it controls muscle activity and regulates peristalsis.

Located in the submucosa, it regulates secretions and absorption from the gut.

They sense the degree of stretch in the smooth muscle layers of the gut.

They measure the chemical composition of the food inside the gut.

Sensory information from internal organs is sent to the brain via visceral sensory neurons.

These neurons are located in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and are involved in relaying sensory information from internal organs to the central nervous system.

These neurons are located in the petrosal ganglion and nodose ganglion, associated with cranial nerves IX and X respectively.

The nucleus of the solitary tract (NST) is a brainstem structure responsible for receiving and processing sensory information from internal organs. It plays a crucial role in regulating autonomic nervous system activity.

The NST is a brainstem structure that receives and processes visceral sensory information, influencing autonomic nervous system activity.

Sensory feedback from visceral sensory neurons influences the activity of preganglionic neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord, ultimately affecting the output of the autonomic nervous system.

Sensory feedback from visceral sensory neurons leads to changes in the excitability of postganglionic neurons in the autonomic ganglion plexi, affecting the impact these neurons have on target tissues.

Autonomic nervous system activity is regulated by sensory feedback from target tissues, which is relayed to the brain via visceral sensory neurons. This information is processed in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST) and influences the output of the autonomic nervous system, ultimately impacting the function of target organs and tissues.