Autonomic nervous system

  • Autonomic nervous system is part of peripheral nervous system which control involuntary activities of body.
  • Regulated visceral organs
  • Maintain homeostasis.

 

Types of autonomic nervous system and their arrangement

  1. Sympathetic nervous system
  2. Parasympathetic nervous system

Autonomic nervous system: parts, organization and functions | GetBodySmart

Sympathetic nervous system:

  • It is formed of presympathetic /postsympathetic nerve fibre, collateral ganglia, and sympathetic cord.
  • Smaller Presympathetic nerve fibre synapse with larger Post sympathetic nerve fibre.
  • Collateral ganglia present near organ affected.
  • Presympathetic nerve fibre release acetylcholine at synapses.
  • This neurotransmitter is carried to postsynaptic neurons by receptors.
  • Post synaptic neurons release non-adrenaline.
  • Has excitatory effect (flight and fight response).

 

Parasympathetic nervous system

  • It is formed of pre-ganglionic fibre, parasympathetic ganglia, and post ganglionic fibre
  • Parasympathetic ganglia are present either near or inside organ affected.
  • Parasympathetic preganglionic neurons are larger than postparasympathetic neurons.
  • Both ganglionic neurons are cholinergic in nature as they release acetylcholine at their nerve endings.
  • Has inhibitory effects / (rest and digest response).
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