14. The Autonomic Nervous System

Which of the following is the primary functional difference between the somatic nervous system (SNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

Ruby has just eaten a large meal and is now laying down on the couch to relax. Her _________________ nervous system becomes active, allowing her to digest her meal. She decides to watch a horror movie, which causes her ___________________ nervous system to take over as her heartbeat _________________ and sweat glands become active.

Tiffany, a 21-year-old college student, is having trouble sleeping, cries frequently, and has recurrent thoughts of suicide. An antidepressant is prescribed. Like many such drugs, this antidepressant has anticholinergic side effects. What side effects might Tiffany experience in the first week of treatment?

Mr. Johnson suffers from urinary retention and a hypoactive urinary bladder. Bethanechol, a drug that mimics acetylcholine's autonomic effects, is prescribed to manage his problem. First explain the rationale for prescribing bethanechol, and then predict which of the following adverse effects Mr. Johnson might experience while taking this drug (select all that apply): dizziness, low blood pressure, deficient tear formation, wheezing, increased mucus production in bronchi, deficient salivation, diarrhea, cramping, excessive sweating, undesirable erection of penis.

A 32-year-old woman complains of intermittent aching pains in the medial two fingers of both hands. During such episodes, the fingers become blanched and then blue. Her history is taken, and it is noted that she is a heavy smoker. The physician advises her that she must stop smoking and states that she will not prescribe any medication until the patient has discontinued smoking for a month. What is this patient's condition, and why was she told to stop smoking?

Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

c. The visceral motor division is also known as the autonomic nervous system and maintains homeostasis of many physiological variables.

The preganglionic and ganglionic neurons are missing from the diagram below showing the distribution of sympathetic innervation. Indicate their distribution using red for the preganglionic neurons and black for the ganglionic neurons.

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Relate each of the following terms or phrases to either the sympathetic (S) or parasympathetic (P) division of the autonomic nervous system: 

______ (1) Short preganglionic, long postganglionic fibers 

______ (2) Intramural ganglia 

______ (3) Craniosacral part 

______ (4) Adrenergic fibers 

______ (5) Cervical ganglia 

______ (6) Otic and ciliary ganglia

Relate each of the following terms or phrases to either the sympathetic (S) or parasympathetic (P) division of the autonomic nervous system: 

______ (7) Generally short-duration action 

______ (8) Increases heart rate and blood pressure 

______ (9) Increases gastric motility and secretion of lacrimal, salivary, and digestive juices 

______ (10) Innervates blood vessels 

______ (11) Most active when you are relaxing in a hammock 

______ (12) Active when you are running in the Boston Marathon

The division of the ANS that prepares the body for activity and stress is the_____division.

(a) sympathetic

(b) parasympathetic

(c) craniosacral

(d) intramural

(e) somatomotor

Collateral sympathetic ganglia are involved with innervating

a. abdominal organs

b. thoracic organs

c. head

d. arrector pili

e. all of these

Effects produced by the parasympathetic branch of the ANS include

(a) Dilation of the pupils

(b) Increased secretion by digestive glands

(c) Dilation of respiratory passages

(d) Increased heart rate

(e) Increased breakdown of glycogen by the liver

Starting in the spinal cord, trace an action potential through the sympathetic division of the ANS until it reaches a target organ in the abdominopelvic region.

Briefly explain why the following terms are sometimes used to refer to the autonomic nervous system: involuntary nervous system and emotional-visceral system.