01:146:245 Lecture Notes - Lecture 22: Sympathetic Nervous System, Autonomic Nervous System, Adrenal Medulla

• School: Rutgers University
• Department: Cell Biology and Neuroscience
• Course: 01:146:245
• Professor: Professor Wilhelms

Document Summary

~control comes from hypothalamus modulates circuits in reticular formation (brain stem) and spinal cord, which then affect neurons in autonomic ganglia. ~includes sympathetic and parasympathetic and enteric system (for gut) ~sympathetic is usually for mobilizing to deal with a challenge. ~autonomic ganglia have the cell bodies of primary visceral motor neurons. ~primary visceral motor neurons are analogous to the lower motor neurons of motor system. ~for sympathetic division, autonomic ganglia are close to spinal cord. ~for parasympathetic division, autonomic ganglia are close to target organs. ~visceral motor axons are highly branched, have varicosities (bulges along axon branch) The nt released usually diffuses across a distance to reach target organ. Pupils dilate and eyelids retract to allow more light to retina to see better. Blood vessels constrict to redirect more blood to muscles. Vegetative functions are deactivated, such as digestion, sex, menstruation. Adrenal medulla is stimulated to release norepinephrine and epinephrine. Pancreas is stimulated to release glucagon and insulin.