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Introduction The autonomic nervous system is a part of the nervous system concerned with regulation and control of all involuntary processes in the body. This system helps to control arterial pressure, gastrointestinal motility, and secretion, urinary bladder emptying, sweating, body temperature, and many other body activities. Anatomically: The nervous system is divided into:A) The central nervous system Brain & Spinal cord (sp. cd) B) The peripheral nervous system
1- Cranial nerves; 12 pairs of nerves. 2- Spinal nerves; (31 pair) One pair for each segment of spinal

cord. Physiologically: The nervous system is divided into 2 systems: 1)Somatic nervous system It controls the activities of voluntary skeletal muscles. 2)Autonomic nervous system It is involuntary nervous system. concerned with unconscious control of visceral activity such as regulation of heart , digestive functions.......). It has 2 separate parts: parasympathetic & sympathetic. They controls visceral (involuntary) functions

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Comparison between Somatic nervous system & ANS: Items Cells in spinal cord Divisions Ganglia Fibers Effect Functions Somatic n . s. AHCs. (Anterior horn cells) In all segments One type. absent One efferent. Excitatory - Supplies only skeletal muscles. - Voluntary. - Operator or initiator Acetylcholine. Autonomic n . s. LHCs (lateral horn cells) In some spinal segments Two types (sympathetic & Para) Present (where preganglionic end & postganglionic originate) Two efferents (preganglionic & postganglionic) Excitatory or inhibitory - Supplies smooth muscle, cardiac muscles and glands. - Involuntary. - Regulator or modulator Acetylcholine & noradrenaline

Neurotransmitter

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Divisions of the autonomic nervous system:

1- The sympathetic system:

- Arise from lateral horn cells of T1-L3 (thoracolumbar) segments of the spinal cord. "Thoracolumbar outflow". - Most sympathetic preganglionic fibers are very short, synapse with cell bodies of postganglionic neurons within ganglia that lie in a sympathetic chain located on either side of the spinal cord and the long postganglionic fibers originating from this ganglion chain to terminate in the effector organ. - Some preganglionic fibers pass through the sympathetic chain without relay and terminate in collateral ganglia located between the spinal cord and innervated organ.
2-The parasympathetic system:

- Arise from the cranial (cranial nerves III, VII, IX, X) and sacral areas of the CNS (S2-S4 sacral segments). So, it is called: "craniosacral outflow" . - The cranial outflow supplies the visceral structures in the head via the oculmotor, facial, glossopharyngeal nerves and those in the thorax and upper abdomen via the vagus nerves (X). - The sacral outflow supplies the pelvic viscera. - The preganglionic fibers in both outflows end on short postganglionic neuron located on or near the visceral structures.

N.B.

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* Sympathetic and parasympathetic preganglionic fibers release the same neurotransmitter acetylcholine. * Parasympathetic postganglionic fibers release acetytcholine. * Most sympathetic postganglionic fibers release norepinephrine. Except: some sympathetic postganglionic neuron release acetytcholine: - which innervate sweat glands. - which end on blood vessels of skeletal muscles. So, all autonomic preganglionic fibers are called"cholinergic". In contrast to most postganglionic sympathetic are called "adrenergic"

Location

Preganglionic Postganglionic Fibers Fibers

Transmitter (Ganglia)

Transmitter (Organs)

Sympathetic

Thoraci c/ Lumbar Cranial/ Sacral

Short

Long

ACh

NE

Parasympathetic

Long

Short

ACh

ACh

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Comparison of the 2 systems of ANS:

Items Sympathetic ic
Thoraco- lumbar Origin Relay Dominance Functions (T1-T12), (L1-L3) Lateral and collateral ganglia. Emergency situations Catabolic (Energy consuming) Receptors Preganglion ic Postganglio nic Generalized action. Alpha and Beta Receptors. Short Long Cranio- sacral (III, VII, IX, & X), and sacral (S2-S4). Terminal ganglia. Relaxed quit conditions. Anabolic (Energy preserving) Localized action. Nicotinic and Muscurinic receptors. Long Short

Parasympathet

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Functions of the Sympathetic Nervous System (A) Head and neck

(1) Eye 1. Dilatation of the pupil (=Mydriasis). 2. Elevation of the upper eyelid. 3. Exophthalmos; more in animals due to contraction of Mullers muscle. 4. Vasoconstriction of blood vessels. (2) Skin 1- Secretory to sweat glands. 2- Vasoconsriction of cutaneous blood vessels. 3- Contraction of piloerector muscles erection of hair. (3) Salivary glands 1- Viscous salivary secretion, rich in organic substances (enzymes) 2- Contraction of myoepithelial cells around acini squeeze the gland. 3- Vasoconstriction of blood vessels.

(B) Thorax (Cardio-pulmonary division)

1. Heart a- Cardiac muscle: - Increase heart rate and force of contraction. - Increase excitability. -Increase work done by the heart and increase cardiac O2 consumption. b- Coronary vessels: vasodilatation. increased all cardiac properties leading to increased metabolites which cause VD of coronary vessels. 2. Lung - Bronchodilatation by relaxation of bronchial wall smooth muscles. 1. Gastrointestinal tract a. Decreased secretion & motility of the stomach and intestine b. Relaxation of the walls & contraction of sphincters in the stomach and intestine.

(C) Abdomen (Splanchnic division)

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2. Liver: glycogen breakdown to increase blood glucose level in case of stress. 3. Adipose tissue; lipolysis (increased plasma free fatty acids) 4. Gall bladder; relaxation of wall & contraction of sphincter. 5. Spleen: contraction of splenic capsule to add some stored blood in spleen to the circulation ( RBCs in blood to oxygen carrying capacity in the blood) 6. Adrenal medulla: secretes 80% adrenaline, 20% nor-adrenaline.

(D) Pelvis;
1. Urinary bladder Inhibition of the wall and contraction of the internal urethral sphincter i.e. retention of urine. 2. Rectum Inhibition of the distal part of large intestine and rectum and contraction of the internal anal sphincter i.e. retention of faeces. 3. Male genital organs A) Ejaculation of semen: Contraction of smooth muscle in the male sex organs. B) Shrinkage of the penis: by vasoconstriction of penile blood vessles.

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(1) E ye 1. Dilatation of the pupil (=Mydriasis). 2. Elevation of the upper eyelid . 3. Exophthalmos; due to contraction of Mullers muscle. 4. Relaxation of ciliary muscle for far vision. 5. Vasoconstriction to blood vessels. 6. Decreased tear secretion of lacrimal glands. (2) Skin 1- Secretory to sweat glands. 2- Vasoconsriction of cutaneous blood vessels. 3- Contraction of piloerector ms erection of hair. (3) Salivar y glands -Trophic (Viscid) salivary secretion, rich in enzymes. - Contraction of myoepithelial cells around acini.

Head & neck

- Vasoconsriction of blood vessels. Thorax

1. Heart - Increase rate (+ chronotropic) and force of contraction (+ inotropic). - Increase rate of conduction of impulses. - Increase excitability. - increase cardiac O2 consumption. - Coronary vessels increased all cardiac properties leading to increased metabolites which cause VD of coronary vessels. 2. Lung - Bronchodilatation. 1. GIT: decreased motility & secretion i.e. inhibition of wall & contraction of sphincters. 2. Liver: glycogenolysis to increase blood glucose level in case of stress. 3. Adipose tissue; lipolysis 4.Gall bladder; relaxation of wall & contraction of sphincter of oddi. 5. Spleen: contraction of splenic capsule ( RBCs in blood to oxygen carrying capacity in the blood) 6. Adrenal medulla: secretes 80% adrenaline, 20% noradrenaline. 1. Urinar y bladder Inhibition of the wall and contraction of the internal urethral sphincter i.e. retention of urine. 2. Rectum Inhibition of the distal part of large intestine and rectum and contraction of the internal anal sphincter i.e. retention of faeces. 3. Male genital organs A) Ejaculation of semen. B) Shrinkage of the penis: by vasoconstriction.

Abdomen

Pelvis

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Functions of the parasympathetic nervous system

The parasysmp. Nervous system - anabolic system. - secreto-motor system.

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(A) Head and Neck [1] Occulomtor nerve (cranial nerve NO. III).
1. Miosis i.e. contraction of pupillioconstriction muscle. 2. Contraction of ciliary muscle, which increases the power of lens in near vision.

[2] Facial nerve

= (cranial nerve NO VII). Secretion and vasodilatation to 1. Sublingual and submandibular salivary glands. 2. Anterior part of the tongue.

[3] Glossopharyngeal nerve

NO. IX). Secretion and vasodilatation to: 1. Parotid gland. 2. Posterior part of the tongue.

(cranial nerve

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(B) Thorax and Abdomen

(NO. X ) Vagal nucleus in the medulla. Terminal ganglia.

( Vagus nerve)

Origin: Relay: Functions: 1- Heart -Inhibition of all atrial properties. -Vagus does not affect ventricles (vagal escape). -Coronary vasoconstriction. 2- Lung - Broncho-constriction. 3- Gastro-intestinal tract - Contraction of the wall of oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and proximal part of the large intestine but inhibitory to the sphincters. - Secretory fibres to the glands of the stomach, small intestine and pancreas (increased insulin secretion). 4- Gall bladder Evacuation (Motor to the wall & inhibitory to the sphincter of Oddi).

(C) Pelvis (Pelvic nerve)

1) Defecation; contraction of the wall of the rectum and relaxation of the internal anal sphincter. 2) Micturition; contraction of the wall of the bladder relaxation of the internal urethral sphincter. 3) Erection; of penis in male & clitoris in female via Vasodilatation. 4) Secretion: prostate and seminal vesicle.

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