51 Questions
What are the two subdivisions of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?
Sympathetic nervous system (SyNS) and Parasympathetic nervous system (PsyNS)
How does the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) differ from the Somatic Nervous System (SoNS) anatomically?
The ANS controls effectors via a two neuron chain, while the SoNS synapses directly onto effectors.
Which nervous system predominates during resting conditions, often referred to as 'rest & digest'?
Parasympathetic nervous system (PsyNS)
In a given system, what is the usual relationship between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)?
They usually oppose each other.
What is the range of sound waves that the human auditory system responds to?
20 Hz to 20 kHz
What is the anatomical basis of referred pain?
It usually travels with sympathetic efferents
How is the intensity of sound measured?
In decibels
What determines the pitch of sound perceived by the auditory system?
Frequency of sound waves
Which division includes preganglionic neurons in brainstem cranial nerve nuclei and IML cell column?
Parasympathetic division
What is the speed of sound through air?
340 m/s
What do autonomic afferents from organs generally follow?
Sympathetic efferents
What causes visceral pain?
Ischemia, distension, and inflammation
Which division innervates organs including the eye, salivary glands, and kidneys?
Sympathetic nervous system
What is the range of infrasound?
Below 20 Hz
What is the range of ultrasound?
Above 20 kHz
What is the perceived effect of a ten-fold increase in sound intensity?
Perceived doubling of loudness
What is responsible for processing sound and is structured with the oval window at the base of the scala vestibuli and the round window at the base of the scala tympani?
The cochlea
What detects the static position and linear acceleration of the head within the otolith organs?
The utricle and saccule
Which type of deafness involves the inner ear or cochlear nerve?
Sensorineural deafness
What causes pressure waves in the scala vestibule, which are relieved at the round window?
Vibration of the tympanic membrane
Which part of the inner ear includes the cochlea, vestibule, and semicircular canals?
Bony labyrinth
What is tonotopically organized, with specific frequencies activating specific populations of neurons in the spiral organ?
The basilar membrane
Which part of the auditory pathways have clinical implications for unilateral lesions?
Primary auditory cortex
What detects head rotation and is arranged at right angles to each other?
Semicircular ducts
What detects the equilibrium sensations and processes pathways to coordinate head movement with eye, neck, trunk, and limb movement?
Vestibular nuclei
What causes bursts of action potentials in afferent neurons?
Pulsatile release of neurotransmitters
What is responsible for the pulsatile release of neurotransmitters from hair cells?
The basilar membrane
Which part of the inner ear comprises the sense organs for hearing and balance?
Membranous labyrinth
Which part of the ear gathers sound waves?
Pinna (auricle)
What is the function of the external auditory canal and middle ear?
Prevent distortion of the tympanic membrane with changes in atmospheric pressure
What is the main function of the cochlea?
Sensing hearing
Where are the hair cells and support cells that transduce sound energy located?
Spiral organ on the basilar membrane
What initiates pressure waves in the inner ear?
Auditory ossicles
What is the role of the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) in the ear?
Innervates the vestibular apparatus for equilibrium and the cochlea for hearing
Where is the membranous labyrinth located?
Inner ear
What is the function of the tympanic cavity in the middle ear?
Opens to the mastoid air cells and nasopharynx
What is the main function of the auditory ossicles?
Transfer sound waves from the tympanic membrane to the oval window
What is the role of the bony labyrinth in the inner ear?
Contains sense organs for hearing and balance
What is the function of the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear?
Maintains equilibrium
What is the main role of the spiral organ in the cochlea?
Contains hair cells and support cells which transduce sound energy
Where are the preganglionic neurons of the Sympathetic Nervous System (SyNS) located?
In the lateral gray horns of the spinal cord
Which part of the nervous system targets the smooth muscle of limbs and body wall?
Sympathetic Division
Where are the postganglionic sympathetic neurons located that innervate the body wall and limbs?
Paravertebral or sympathetic chain ganglia
Which part of the nervous system decreases heart rate?
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Where are the preganglionic neurons of the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSyNS) located?
In the lateral gray horns of the spinal cord
Which part of the nervous system innervates the thoracic viscera?
Sympathetic Nervous System
Where are the postganglionic sympathetic neurons located that innervate the abdominopelvic viscera?
In the prevertebral ganglia
What does the Adrenal Medulla release when stimulated by preganglionic sympathetic neurons?
Epinephrine and norepinephrine
Which type of neurons innervate skeletal muscle?
Somatic motor neurons
Where do preganglionic sympathetic fibers distribute sympathetics to dermatomes above T1 and below L2?
Ascending or descending within the sympathetic chain
Which part of the nervous system is responsible for monitoring skin, joints, and skeletal muscle?
Sensory neurons
Study Notes
Summary: Anatomy and Function of the Sympathetic Nervous System
- The Sympathetic Nervous System (SyNS) increases heart rate, while the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSyNS) decreases heart rate, and they occasionally work independently.
- The two divisions, SyNS and PSyNS, differ anatomically in the locations of their preganglionic neuron, autonomic ganglion, and postganglionic neuron.
- The spinal grey matter is organized into continuous columns extending the length of the cord, comprising gray matter and white matter, with ventral roots at all levels and divided into spinal nerve, dorsal root ganglion, dorsal root, dorsal horns, and ventral horns.
- The Sympathetic Division targets smooth muscle of limbs and body wall, viscera of head and thorax, and viscera of abdomen and pelvis.
- Somatic motor neurons innervate skeletal muscle, while sensory neurons monitor skin, joints, and skeletal muscle.
- The body wall and limbs are innervated by postganglionic sympathetic neurons located in the paravertebral or sympathetic chain ganglia.
- Preganglionic sympathetic fibers can ascend or descend within the sympathetic chain before synapsing, distributing sympathetics to dermatomes above T1 and below L2.
- The Sympathetic Nervous System innervates thoracic viscera and targets in the face through postganglionic sympathetic neurons located in the paravertebral or sympathetic chain ganglia.
- Abdominopelvic viscera are innervated by postganglionic sympathetic neurons located in the prevertebral ganglia, such as the celiac, superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric ganglia.
- The Adrenal Medulla, a modified sympathetic ganglion, is innervated by preganglionic sympathetic neurons of the lateral gray horns and releases epinephrine and norepinephrine, which is picked up by blood vessels for systemic distribution.
Test your knowledge of the anatomy and function of the Sympathetic Nervous System with this quiz. Explore the division between the SyNS and PSyNS, the organization of the spinal grey matter, and the targets of the Sympathetic Division. Refresh your understanding of preganglionic and postganglionic neurons, and test your knowledge of sympathetic innervation in thoracic and abdominopelvic viscera.
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