Functions of Autonomic Nervous System
Sympathetic
Parasympathetic
Heart
Heart
Heart rate
Force of Contraction
Blood Vessels
Constriction/relaxation
Lungs
Bronchio__________
GI Tract
Motility
Sphincter ___________
Secretions
Ganglia Fibers
Pre: Short/Long
Post: Short/Long
Nerve Used (primarily)
Vagus/Thoracolumbar
Major Neurotransmitter Used
ACh/Norepinephrine/Epinephrine
Heart rate
Force of Contraction
Blood Vessels
Constriction/relaxation
Lungs
Bronchio__________
GI Tract
Motility
Sphincter ___________
Secretions
Ganglia Fibers
Pre: Short/Long
Post: Short/Long
Nerve Used (primarily)
Vagus/Thoracolumbar
Major Neurotransmitter Used
ACh/Norepinephrine/Epinephrine
Some organs have dual innervation, meaning they receive stimulus from the sympathetic and
parasympathetic nervous system. How could you differentiate between the two? What kind of
organs do you think receive both stimuli?
If a person has an allergic reaction, their throat starts to swell and constrict their airways. Do
you think giving them epinephrine or ACh would be more appropriate? Why?
Functions of Autonomic Nervous System
Sympathetic
Parasympathetic
Heart
Heart
↑ Heart rate
↑ Force of Contraction
Blood Vessels
Constriction/relaxation
Lungs
Bronchiodilation
GI Tract
↓ Motility
Sphincter contraction
↓ Secretions
Ganglia Fibers
Pre: Short/Long
Post: Short/Long
Nerve Used (primarily)
Vagus/Thoracolumbar
Major Neurotransmitter Used
ACh/Norepinephrine/Epinephrine
-Ach uses nicotinic receptors
↓ Heart rate
↓ Force of Contraction
Blood Vessels
Constriction/relaxation
Lungs
Bronchioconstriction
GI Tract
↑ Motility
Sphincter relaxation
↑ Secretions
Ganglia Fibers
Pre: Short/Long
Post: Short/Long
Nerve Used (primarily)
Vagus/Thoracolumbar
Major Neurotransmitter Used
ACh/Norepinephrine/Epinephrine
-Ach uses muscarinic receptors
Some organs have dual innervation, meaning they receive stimulus from the sympathetic and
parasympathetic nervous system. How could you differentiate between the two? What is the
area called where they intersect? What kind of organs do you think receive both stimuli?
The ganglia would be different lengths. Sympathetic ganglia would be short preganglia and
long postganglia. Parasympathetic ganglia would be long preganglia and short postganglia.
The area where they intersect is called a plexus. Almost any organ that responds to both
signals can have dual innervation and there are major plexuses in the heart, lungs,
esophagus, and celiac (stomach).
If a person has an allergic reaction, their throat starts to swell and constrict their airways. Do
you think giving them epinephrine or ACh would be more appropriate? Why?
Epinephrine should be used because it’s only receptors are for the sympathetic NS. Activating
the sympathetic NS will allow for bronchidilation to open the airways.