Autonomic division of

peripheral nervous
system

SYMPATHETIC AND
PARASYMPATHETIC DIVISIONS

By OMEJE EMMANUEL GROUP 520

10th December,2016.

Table of content:
GENERAL
Morphological Features of autonomic nervous system.
Regulatory centers of autonomic nervous system.
Autonomic Ganglia and its classification.
Autonomic reflex arc.
SYMPATHETIC PART OF ANS
Compartments of sympathetic nervous system.
The sympathetic truck.
AUTONOMIC PLEXUSES
PARASYMPATHETIC PART OF ANS.
Parts of PNS.

GENERAL

John Newport Langley(2

November 1852 5 November
1925).
Distinguished sympathetic and
parasympathetic compartments,.

NERVOUS SYSTEM
Divisions of the nervous system
The human nervous system consists of the central nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral
Nervous System (PNS).
CNS is composed of the brain (located in the cranial cavity) and the spinal cord (located in the
vertebral cavity), which serve as the main control centers for all body activities.
PNS is composed of nerves derived from the brain and spinal cord (12 pairs of cranial nerves and
31 pairs of spinal nerves) which serve as linkage between the CNS and the body.
PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
PNS can be subdivided into sensory (afferent) nerves and motor (efferent) nerves.
Sensory nerves send nerve impulse from the body to CNS to effector organs.
Motor nerves are divided into the somatic nervous system (SNS) which regulates the
voluntary contraction of the skeletal muscles, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) which
regulates the involuntary control of smooth, cardiac muscles and glands.

MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

-The featured neurons reside predominantly within the autonomic ganglia outside the CNS.
-Two-neuron efferent pathway from the CNS to the effectors.
-Thin non-myelinated postganglionic fibers with less transmission rate.
-Network-type arrangement of the post ganglionic fibers that form the autonomic plexuses.
Note=according to this morphological features, ANS is subdivided into Sympathetic and
Parasympathetic Nervous system.
The blood vessels EXCEPT for the coronary ones, the skin glands and skeletal muscles are supplied
by the sympathetic part only.
Parasympathetic system- helps in maintaining homeostasis
Sympathetic system regulates Adaptation by enhancing trophic processes.
The viscera have double nerve supply that act in accord to optimized functioning of the systems.

From the evolutionary point of view, The Autonomic nervous system

is much older than the Somatic nervous system.
The somatic nervous system (SoNS) is the part of the peripheral
nervous system associated with the voluntary control of body
movements via skeletal muscles.

REGULATORY CENTERS OF AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM.

The sympathetic centers.
Occupy the lateral grey column of the spinal cord, {the Intermediolateral nucleus}.
With respect to the segment C8-L2.
The parasympathetic centers.
Located within the brainstem(cranial part)
and within the sacral compartment of the spinal cord (sacral part)
The cranial part of PNS has the following nuclei:
-Accesory nucleus of Oculomotor(III)- within the midbrain.
-Superior Salivatory nucleus (VII) within the pons.
-Inferior salivatory nuclueus (IX)- within the Medulla oblongata.
-Dorsal nucleus of vagus nerve (X)- within the medulla Oblongata.
The Sacral part of PNS.
- This section is represented by the sacral-parasympathetic nuclei, situated between the anterior
and posterior grey column with respect to S2-S4.

ORIGINATION AND
RESPONSIBILITY ARES OF
PARASYMPATHETIC
NERVOUS SYSTEM.

SUPERIOR AUTONOMIC CENTERS

They regulate activities of both sympathetic and
parasympathetic nervous system.
They are:
-Medulla oblongata.
Has vasculomotor,respiratory,vomiting and
deglutition centers.
-Cerebellum.
Responsible for skin trophics,wound healing and
arrector muscle of hair.
-Subthalamus.
Regulates all autonomic functions.
Regulates thirst,hunger,body
temperature,sexuality and activities of endocrine
glands.
-Telencephalon.
Regulates BP,salivation,lacrimation.
-Cerebral cortex
has influence on autonomic functions via corticovisceral associations.

Medulla
oblongata
cerebellum

Autonomic ganglia and its classifications.

Definition:
This are relay centers for efferent fibers (preganglionic and post ganglionic fibers).
-Preganglionic nerve fibers;
The are the autonomic regulatory centers within the brainstem and spinal cord.
they are mostly myelinated with high transmission rate.
make synapses in the autonomic ganglia.
-Postganglionic nerve fibers;
they are axons of the autonomic ganglion.
they are non-myelinated/they are grey in color.
have low transmission rate.
CLASSIFICATION OF AUTONOMIC GANGLIA
According to location we have they following;
-Paravertebral ganglia. (ganglia of sympathetic trunk).
-Prevertebral ganglia. (ganglia of thoracic and abdominal autonomic plexuses)
-Terminal ganglia.
(parasympathetic ganglion)

Autonomic Reflex Arc

NB
3rd neuron of autonomic
system are located on
sympathetic ganglia

SYMPATHETIC PART
Sympathetic part

The sympathetic division of CNS has Central and Peripheral part.

Sympathetic centers are Intermediolateral nuclei, C8-L2 segments.
The peripheral compartment has parts as follows.
-paravertebral sympathetic ganglia which forms trunks.
-prevertebral sympathetic ganglion,anterior to the vertebral column.
they belong to many autonomic abdominal plexuses.
-preganglionic sympathetic fibers(white rami communicantes/interganglionic
branches).they run from sympathetic centers to autonomic ganglia.
-postganglionic sympathetic fibers (grey rami communicantes,visceral branches and
sympathetic nerves).Arises from ganglia and join plexuses to reach their responsibility areas.
-Numerous thoracic and Abdominal plexuses(the periarterial and visceral plexuses).
Features of sympathetic part of ANS

Short preganglionic fibers.

Long postganglionic fibers.
Postganglionic fibers are distributed throughout the body.
Postganglionic fibers run from the ganglion to the organs that they supply.

Sympathetic trunk
-paired. From external cranial base to coccyx.
-has 20-25 ganglia of sympathetic trunk associated by interganglionic branch.
-has parts asCervical,
thoracic,
lumbar and
sacral parts.
NB; all ganglia of sympathetic trunk gives
-Grey rami communicantes.
they are postganglionic fibers that reach the neighboring spinal nerve
and run within its branches. Join them.
-Visceral branches.
supply the visceral,

CERVICAL PART OF SYMPATHETIC TRUNK

Its has 3 ganglia- superior, middle and inferior.

SUPERIOR(largest). C2-c3 transverse process.
-internal carotid nerve.
sympathetic fibers supply glands of nasal and
palatine mucosa,lacrimal glands, eyeball tunic and the
sphincter pupillae.
-External Carotid nerve.
they supply glands and cranial organs along their
path.
-jugular nerve
gives branches to IX n X cranial nerve ganglia,
-laryngopharyngeal branches
- Superior cervical cardiac
desends to the thoracic cavity to join the cardiac
plexus.
the above are visceral branches.
Grey branches connect upper 4 cervical spinal nerves.

MIDDLE CERVICAL GANGLION (anterior and transverse process of C4)

Anteriorly, the ganglion is covered by carotid artery and inferiorly by thyroid artery.
forms Ansa subclavia
= grey rami communicantes connects 5-6 cervical spinal nerves.
=visceral branches----------------------------------------------------------------------Middle cervical cardiac nerve.
joins cardiac plexus
-inferior thyroid nerve
reach thyroid gland and larynx
-common carotid
expands along common carotid and proceed to both external and internal carotid arteries.
INFERIOR CERVICAL GANGLION
-Merge with first thoracic ganglion and form cervicothoracic (stellate) ganglion.
-resides posterior to the subclavian and vertebral arteries.
Grey rami communicantes connects 7-8th CN.
-visceral branches are..
-subclavian branches
-vertebral nerve
-inferior cervical cardiac.
-branches of Vagus and phrenic nerve.

THORACIC PART OF SYMPATHETIC TRUNK

Has 10-12 thoracic ganglion, on the head of ribs below the parietal pleura.
Thoracic ganglion gives the Grey rami communicantes that connects all the thoracic
vertebral.
Visceral branches-thoracic cardiac
-thoracic pulmonary
-esophageal branches
-Thoracic aortic nerves(forms thoracic aortic plexus).
----------------- Greater splanchnic nerve-(from T5-T12,goes to coeliac plexus)
-Lesser splanchnic nerve-(from T10-T11,goes also to coeliac plexus)
-Least splanchnic nerve-(from T10,goes to Renal plexus)
Grey rami communicantes are post ganglionic fibers(axons)
Of neurons of ganglia of sympathetic trunk.

LUMBER AND SACRAL PARTS

Lumber parthas 3-5 ganglia in the anterolateral surfaces of bodies of lumber vertebra.
covered by peritoneum and associated by interganglionic branches.
Grey rami communicantes join all lumber spinal nerves.
Visceral
Lumber splanchnic nerve

Sacral parthas 4 sacral ganglia on the pelvic surface of sacrum.

both trunks merge at a single ganglion impar,in anterior surface of first coccygeal.
Grey rami communicantes connects all sacral spinal nerves.
Visceral
Sacral splanchnic nerve- given by superior and inferior hypogastric plexus(above levator
ani on right and left side of rectum), inferior supplies pelvic visceral.

AUTONOMIC
PLEXUSES

Autonomic plexus is a network arrangement of the PNS.

They contain both sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers with sensory fibers from vagus and
spinal nerves.
Has many large and small autonomic ganglia.
-Thoracic aortic plexus, cardiac plexus, esophageal plexus, pulmonary plexus,
-The Abdominal aortic plexus(greatest in abdominopelvic region).
- coeliac plexus(abdominal brain) is its greatest part, it accepts fibers from posterior vagal
trunk(both sensory and parasympathetic) and right phrenic nerve..
it has 5 ganglia=
=coeliac ganglia (2), aortic renal ganglia (2), superior mesenteric ganglion (1).
- Superior mesenteric plexus
goes along artery to supply small intestine,cecum,ascending colon, transverse colon.
-intermesenteric plexus (btw superior and inferior mesenteric arteries).it gives rise to inferior
mesenteric plexus.
supplies the transverse colon,desending colon, upper part of rectum.
-superior hypogastric plexus(below aortic bifurcation)-receives splanchnic nerves from lower
lumber and upper sacral.it give rise to right and left inferior hypogastric plexuses(receives
parasympathetic fibers and sacral splenic nerves)it supplies pelvic viscera.
NB- the abdominal aortic plexus continues with the right and left iliac plexus.

PARASYMPATHETIC PART

Has two parts

1-Cranial part
-Accesory nucleus of oculomotor(III)
-Superior salivatory nucleus (VII)
-Inferior salivatory nucleus (IX)
-Dorsal nucleus of vagus nerve (X).
2-Sacral part
represented by sacral parasympathetic nuclei.
btw anterior and posterior grey column, in association with S2-S4.
-Pelvic splanchnic nerve.
joins the pelvic autonomic plexuses (vesical plexus, prostrate
plexus,uterovaginal plexus, middle and inferior rectal plexuses).
fibers also synapse in intramural ganglia.

Parasympathetic division
Generally inhibits the effector organ (except in
digestive tract).
All pre and postganglionic fibers produce Ach and
are cholinergic.
Location of ganglia (terminal ganglia) is in or near
effector organ.
Pregarglionic fibers arise from the CNS (brain
stem) and sacral region of spinal cord (S2 S4).
Long preganglionic fibers.
Short postganglionic fibers.
Postganglionic fibers are limited to the head,
viscera of chest, abdomen and pelvis.

MORE WORDS ON ANS

ADREGENIC RECEPTORS
DIVIDES INTO TWO CATEGORIES
ALPHA RECEPTORS AND BETA RECEPTORS.
in General, NE or epinephrine binding to alpha- receptors are stimulatory while their binding to betareceptors are inhibitory. Both and receptors have distinct subtypes (alpha 1 , 2 , beta 1, 2 ).
ALPHA RECEPTORS
Alpha-1 & Alpha-2 Receptors Alpha-1 receptors:
reflect the "flight or fight" RX.
cause constriction of blood vessels (control of B.P.).
Inhibit motility in the gut by contracting sphincter muscles and relaxing non sphincter tissue.
Mobilize energy by breaking down liver glycogen to glucose.
Alpha-2 receptors:
found in presynaptic membranes and provide feed back control of neurotransmitter secretion
(inhibit Ca++ influx, decrease neurotransmitter release).

ADREGENIC RECEPTORS
(BETA RECEPTORS)
Beta-1 & Beta-2 Receptors:
beta-1 receptors:
well known for their effects in the heart
( increase rate and force of contraction).
induce muscle relaxation in the gut.
beta-2 receptors:
Induce bronchiodilation.
Induce smooth muscle relaxation in the gut.
Induce conversion of glycogen to glucose.
Stimulate secretion of insulin from pancreas.

GENERAL
INNERVATION OF
ORGANS.
Teacher
;Dr.Yarmolenko Olga Sergeevna
Student
Omeje Emmanuel

INNERVATION OF HEART;

HEART
PARASYMPATHETIC
-superior and inferior cervical cardiac
from vagus nerve originates from
dorsal nucleus of vagus and makes
synapse at cardiac plexus.
-thoracic cardiac from vagus nerve.
SYMPATHETIC
-superior,middle and inferior cervical
cardiac nerves from cervical part of
sympathetic trunk.
-thoracic cardiac branch of
sympathetic trunk.

INNERVATION OF THE EYE

SYMPATHETIC SUPPLY
1.
mydriasis- contract pupillary dilator muscle (1
receptor)
2.
contract superior tarsal muscle to hold eyelid open
(1 receptor)
3.
Relax ciliary muscle for distant vision (2 receptors)
4.
Enhance aqueous humor formation (2 receptors)
5.
Inhibit aqueous humor formation (2 receptors)

PARASYMPATHETIC SUPPLY
focus eye for near vision (ciliary muscle contraction)
constrict
pupil
(miosis)-(pupillary
sphincter
contraction)
Enhance drainage of aqueous humor (trabecular
meshwork & canal of Schlemm)
All of these effects mediated by muscarinic receptors

INNERVATION OF THE KIDNEY

SYMPATHETIC SUPPLY
A branch from the lower part
in the thoracic section of the
sympathetic trunk,the Least
splanchnic nerve.it arises
from the T10 Ganglion and
terminates at the Renal
plexus.
PARASYMPATHETIC
SUPPLY
The abdominal part of vagus
nerve gives renal branches
that go alongside their
corresponding arteries then
supply the kidney.

INNERVATION OF THE EAR

INNERVATION OF THE LIVER

SENSORY SUPPLY
The right phrenic nerve
penetrate the diaphragm to
give branches to hepatic
capsule.
PARASYMPATHETIC SUPPLY
From the vagus nerve,the
anterior trunk in the
abdominal section of vagus
nerve arises hepatic
branches which goes btw
lesser omentum to supply
the liver.
SYMPATHETIC SUPPLY
From postganglionic fibers
from coeliac ganglion.

VIDEO LINK

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