Nervous System Overview Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the sympathetic nervous system?

  • To increase alertness and metabolic activities for emergencies (correct)
  • To control voluntary muscle movements
  • To regulate digestion and energy conservation
  • To manage body temperature during rest

    • Which statement accurately describes the parasympathetic nervous system?

  • It governs sensory receptors in the skeletal muscles.
  • It primarily functions to prepare the body for immediate physical activity.
  • Its activities conserve and restore body energy. (correct)
  • It increases heart rate and respiration rates.

    • How does the autonomic tone function in relation to the autonomic nervous system?

  • It reflects the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. (correct)
  • It indicates an imbalance in sympathetic control.
  • It is the sum of all heart rate variations.
  • It is caused solely by sympathetic activity.

    • What is the main role of the enteric nervous system?

    <p>To regulate chemical changes and movements in the GI tract.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true regarding the peripheral nervous system?

    <p>It connects the brain and spinal cord to the limbs and organs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ganglion is primarily responsible for supplying the small and large intestines?

    <p>Superior mesenteric ganglion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What structure do the postganglionic neurons from the ciliary ganglion supply?

    <p>Smooth muscle of the eye</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which plexus is known as the largest autonomic plexus and surrounds the celiac trunk?

    <p>Celiac (solar) plexus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of neuron typically connects with only 4 to 5 postsynaptic neurons?

    <p>Parasympathetic preganglionic neurons</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of adrenal medullae in the sympathetic division?

    <p>Release of hormones into the blood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a major collateral ganglion?

    <p>Pterygopalatine ganglion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which preganglionic axons primarily carry craniosacral outflow?

    <p>Vagus nerve</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What anatomical structure do sympathetic postganglionic neurons enter to merge with spinal nerves?

    <p>Grey ramus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ganglion supplies the parotid salivary glands?

    <p>Otic ganglion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many ways can sympathetic preganglionic neurons connect with postganglionic neurons?

    <p>Four</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which syndrome is characterized by the loss of sympathetic innervation leading to droopy eye and constricted pupils?

    <p>Horner's syndrome</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ganglion supplies the smooth muscle of the eye?

    <p>Ciliary ganglion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect do the sympathetic ganglia generally have on the body when activated?

    <p>Divergent responses across multiple organs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following options describes the preganglionic axons in the sacral parasympathetic outflow?

    <p>They travel with the spinal nerves and branch off.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of the sympathetic division during stress?

    <p>Vigorous physical activity and rapid ATP production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes the autonomic ganglion?

    <p>It connects the preganglionic and postganglionic neurons in the autonomic nervous system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect does a high sympathetic tone have on blood vessels in the skeletal muscles?

    <p>Dilates blood vessels to increase blood flow.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which neurotransmitters are primarily released by autonomic motor neurons?

    <p>Acetylcholine and norepinephrine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What physiological response is associated with parasympathetic activation?

    <p>Increased digestion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which cranial nerve is NOT associated with the parasympathetic division?

    <p>Optic nerve (Cranial Nerve II)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of neuron pathway is characteristic of the somatic nervous system?

    <p>One neuron pathway</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During a fight or flight response, which of the following occurs?

    <p>Dilation of pupils</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which structure primarily does NOT receive sympathetic innervation?

    <p>Skeletal muscle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where do the cell bodies of preganglionic neurons for the sympathetic division reside?

    <p>Lateral horns of gray matter in T1 to L2</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following does NOT occur during the rest and digest state?

    <p>Increased heart rate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following blood vessels constricts during a sympathetic response?

    <p>Blood vessels to the gut</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the adrenal medulla play in the sympathetic nervous system?

    <p>It releases hormones like norepinephrine and epinephrine.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of fibers are typically used by postganglionic neurons in the autonomic nervous system?

    <p>Type C fibers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the sympathetic division affect the kidneys?

    <p>Decreases blood flow to the kidneys</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Central Nervous System (CNS)

    • Composed of the brain and spinal cord

    Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

    • Includes the somatic, autonomic, and enteric nervous systems

    Somatic Nervous System (SNS)

    • Controls voluntary movements
    • Contains sensory receptors and motor neurons connecting to skeletal muscles

    Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

    • Controls involuntary functions
    • Contains sensory neurons from internal organs (viscera) and motor neurons to smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands
    • Two subdivisions: sympathetic and parasympathetic

    Sympathetic Nervous System

    • "Fight or flight" response
    • Increases alertness and metabolic activity to prepare for emergencies
    • Impacts various physiological processes like heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels to support physical activity

    Parasympathetic Nervous System

    • "Rest and digest" response
    • Conserves and restores energy during rest
    • Targets the GI tract and respiratory system for digestive functions

    Enteric Nervous System (ENS)

    • Involuntary system
    • Regulates activity within the gastrointestinal tract
    • Contains sensory neurons responding to chemical changes and stretching in the GI tract
    • Contains motor neurons to GI smooth muscle

    Autonomic Tone

    • Balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity
    • Maintained by the hypothalamus
    • Certain organs (like sweat glands, blood vessels) receive only sympathetic innervation, exhibiting a range in response by increasing or decreasing the sympathetic tone

    Sympathetic Responses (fight-or-flight)

    • Dominates during stress

    • Favors functions like energy production and reduces non-essential functions

    • Emotional stress can activate the sympathetic division

    • Pupil dilation

    • Increased heart rate, contraction force, and blood pressure

    • Bronchodilation (widening of airways)

    • Vasodilation to skeletal muscles

    • Vasodilation to heart

    • Vasoconstriction to GI tract

    • Vasoconstriction to kidneys

    • Vasodilation to liver (blood sugar)

    • Vasodilation to adipose tissue (fat)

    Parasympathetic Responses (rest-and-digest)

    • Supports conservation and restoration of energy

    • Slows down body activity for rest and recovery

    • Decreased heart rate and force of contraction

    • Bronchoconstriction (narrowing of airways)

    • Pupil constriction

    • Increased salivation and lacrimation (tears)

    • Increased urination, digestion, and defecation

    Comparison: Somatic vs. Autonomic Nervous Systems

    Feature Somatic Nervous System Autonomic Nervous System
    Sensory Input From receptors for somatic senses (touch, temperature, pain, body position) From internal receptors (viscera, blood vessels)
    Consciousness Consciously perceived Generally not consciously perceived
    Motor Output Voluntary; from the cerebral cortex Involuntary; from the hypothalamus
    Neuron Pathway One neuron Two neurons (preganglionic and postganglionic)
    Neurotransmitter Acetylcholine only Acetylcholine or norepinephrine
    Effectors Skeletal muscle Smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands
    Response Skeletal muscle contractions Contraction/relaxation of smooth muscle; Increased/decreased heart rate/secretion

    Anatomy of Autonomic Motor Pathways

    • Preganglionic neuron: First neuron; cell body in CNS, travels to ganglion; "B" type fiber
    • Postganglionic neuron: Second neuron; cell body in ganglion, innervates effector; "C" type fiber
    • Autonomic ganglion: Location where preganglionic and postganglionic neurons synapse

    Sympathetic Division

    • Preganglionic neurons: Cell bodies in the lateral horns of spinal cord (T1-L2/L3)
    • Ganglia: Paravertebral (sympathetic trunk) and prevertebral ganglia
    • Connections: Axons can synapse in the first reached ganglion, ascend/descend to other ganglia, synapse in prevertebral ganglia (e.g., splanchnic nerves), or synapse with chromaffin cells in adrenal medulla (hormone release). This divergence explains widespread effects of sympathetic responses

    Parasympathetic Division

    • Preganglionic neurons: Cell bodies in nuclei of brainstem (cranial nerves 3, 7, 9, 10) and lateral gray matter of S2-S4
    • Ganglia: Terminal ganglia, located near or within the visceral effector
    • Connections: Synapse with usually 4-5 postganglionic neurons, leading to localized effects

    Autonomic Plexuses

    • Networks of sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons, sensory neurons, and ganglia, in thorax, abdomen, and pelvis
    • Examples: Cardiac, pulmonary, celiac, superior mesenteric, inferior mesenteric, hypogastric, renal plexuses

    Connections: Sympathetic postganglionic neurons to visceral effectors

    • Spinal nerves: via grey rami communicantes to skin, blood vessels, arrector pili
    • Cephalic periarterial nerves: to head and face; involving sweat glands, smooth muscle, lacrimal glands etc...
    • Sympathetic nerves: to thoracic organs (heart, lungs)

    Sympathetic Nerves to Adrenal Medulla

    • Preganglionic fibers synapse with chromaffin cells
    • Chromaffin cells release epinephrine and norepinephrine into bloodstream

    Horner's Syndrome

    • Loss of sympathetic innervation (e.g., trauma or disease) causes drooping eyelid (ptosis), constricted pupils (miosis), lack of sweating (anhidrosis) and sometimes posterior displacement of eyeball (enophthalmos).

    Structure of the Parasympathetic Division

    • Cranial Parasympathetic outflow from nuclei in brain stem along cranial nerves, especially the vagus nerve
    • Sacral Parasympathetic outflow: from S2-S4 spinal nerves
    • Ganglia (Cranial): Ciliary, Pterygopalatine, Submandibular, Otic
    • Ganglia (Sacral): terminal ganglia near/in the visceral effector ( e.g., colon, bladder, reproductive organs)

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems. This quiz covers the structure and functions of the somatic and autonomic nervous systems, including their subdivisions. Challenge yourself to understand how these systems work together to regulate body functions.

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