Chapter 14 – The Autonomic Nervous System

Parasympathetic

Decreases heart rate.

Parasympathetic

Maintenance functions

sympathetic

Short preganglionic, long postganglionic fibers.

parasympathetic

Collateral ganglia.

Parasympathetic

Active after you have eaten a meal.

Parasympathetic

Stimulates ciliary muscles of the eye, which makes the lens bulge for close vision.

sympathetic

Increases blood pressure

ACh

Secreted by preganglionic sympathetic fibers

ACh

Secreted by preganglionic parasympathetic fibers.

ACh

Secreted by postganglionic sympathetic fibers to sweat glands

ACh

Secreted by postganglionic parasympathetic fibers.

NE

Secreted by most postganglionic sympathetic fibers

False

Somatic and visceral reflex arcs are similar, but visceral reflex arcs lack afferent fibers (visceral sensory neurons).

True

The rami communicantes are associated only with the sympathetic division of the ANS.

False

The gray rami communicantes consist of myelinated postganglionic fibers

True

The sympathetic division innervates more organs than the parasympathetic division

True

The autonomic nervous system may cause activation or inhibition, depending on the division that is active and the target that is affected.

True

The celiac ganglion is primarily associated with the sympathetic division.

False

All visceral organs receive dual innervation from both the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the ANS.

True

Thermoregulatory responses to increased heat are mediated by the sympathetic nervous division.

True

Most disorders of the autonomic nervous system reflect abnormalities of smooth muscle control.

True

The effect of beta-blocker drugs (block beta-receptors) is to decrease blood pressure.

True

The adrenal medulla is considered by some to be a "misplaced" sympathetic ganglion since embryologically, they arise from the same tissue.

True

Acetylcholine is released by all somatic motor neurons, all preganglionic neurons of the ANS and by the postganglionic parasympathetic nerve fibers.

False

The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the ANS have the same effect on most body organ systems

True

Some sympathetic preganglionic fibers stimulate the adrenal medulla to release norepinephrine and epinephrine into the blood, producing a "surge of adrenaline."

False

The facial (VII), glossopharyngeal (IX), and vagus (X) nerves contain postganglionic fibers of the parasympathetic nervous system

False

The ANS stimulates smooth muscles, skeletal muscles and glands, whereas the somatic nervous system innervates skeletal muscles only

False

Norepinephrine-releasing fibers are called cholinergic fibers

True

Autonomic ganglia are motor ganglia, containing the cell bodies of motor neurons

True

The craniosacral division is another name for the parasympathetic division

True

Autonomic ganglia are sights of synapse and information transmission from preganglionic to postganglionic neurons

True

Most blood vessels are innervated by the sympathetic division alone

False

The blood vessels of the skin are one of the few areas of the body where the vessels are innervated by both the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions

True

The effect of the parasympathetic division on the penis is vasodilation causing erection, while ejaculation is due to sympathetic stimulation

False

All splanchnic nerves are sympathetic

True

Most splanchnic nerves pass through the abdominal aortic plexus

True

The vasomotor tone of blood vessels is mostly under sympathetic control

False

Because many of the same cardiac cells are innervated by both parasympathetic and sympathetic fibers, the influence of the two divisions on the heart is synergistic, meaning contraction is strongest when both divisions act together.

False

β-adrenergic receptors are the only receptors found on the heart

True

Visceral reflexes include the reflexes that empty the bladder and the rectum

True

Cranial nerves III (oculomotor), VII (facial), and IX (glossopharyngeal) supply the entire parasympathetic innervation of the head; however, only the preganglionic fibers lie within these three pairs of cranial nerves.

True

The sacral part of the parasympathetic division serves the pelvic organs and the distal half of the large intestine.

True

Rami communicantes are designated white or gray to indicate whether or not the fibers passing through them are myelinated

False

The autonomic and somatic nervous systems are two separate systems that work totally independent of each other and lack any functional overlap.

True

Albuterol (Ventolin) binds to β2 receptors and is used by asthma patients to dilate the bronchioles of the lungs and ease breathing

B) sympathetic stimulation

The secretions of the adrenal medulla act to supplement the effects of ________. A) parasympathetic innervation B) sympathetic stimulation C) vagus (X) nerve activity D) somatic stimulation

B) a system of motor neurons that innervates all muscle cells

Which of the following does NOT describe the ANS? A) a system of motor neurons that innervates smooth and cardiac muscle and glands B) a system of motor neurons that innervates all muscle cells C) involuntary nervous system D) general visceral motor system

A) sympathetic division

Preparing the body for the "fight-or-flight" response is the role of the ________. A) sympathetic division B) cerebrum C) parasympathetic division D) somatic nervous system

D) regulation of activity by higher brain centers

The somatic and autonomic nervous systems differ in all of the following EXCEPT ________. A) their effectors B) their efferent pathways and ganglia C) target organ responses to their neurotransmitters D) regulation of activity by higher brain centers

A) all parasympathetic target organs

Where would you NOT find a cholinergeric nicotinic receptor? A) all parasympathetic target organs B) all postganglionic neurons (cell bodies and dendrites) C) adrenal medulla hormone producing cells D) sarcolemma of skeletal muscle cells at neuromuscular junctions

A) ciliary ganglion

The parasympathetic ganglion that serves the eye is the ________. A) ciliary ganglion B) pterygopalatine ganglion C) submandibular ganglion D) otic ganglion

D) dilation of the blood vessels serving the skin and digestive viscera

Cardiovascular effects of the sympathetic division include all of the following EXCEPT ________. A) constriction of most blood vessels B) weak dilation of the blood vessels of skeletal muscles during exercise C) increase of heart rate and force D) dilation of the blood vessels serving the skin and digestive viscera

C) X (vagus)

Over 90% of all parasympathetic fibers are derived from cranial nerves ________. A) V (trigeminal) B) VII (facial) C) X (vagus) D) XII (hypoglossal)

A) parasympathetic division

The "resting and digesting" division of the autonomic nervous system is the ________. A) parasympathetic division B) sympathetic division C) somatic division D) peripheral division

C) hypothalamus

Control of temperature, endocrine activity, and thirst are functions associated with the ________. A) medulla B) cerebellum C) hypothalamus D) thalamus

C) skeletal muscle

Which of these effectors is NOT directly controlled by the autonomic nervous system? A) smooth muscle B) cardiac muscle C) skeletal muscle D) most glands

B) dilation of the pupils

Which of the following is NOT a result of parasympathetic stimulation? A) salivation B) dilation of the pupils C) increased peristalsis of the digestive viscera D) elimination of urine

A) Sympathetic origin is craniosacral; parasympathetic is thoracolumbar.

Which of the following statements is FALSE? A) Sympathetic origin is craniosacral; parasympathetic is thoracolumbar. B) Sympathetic ganglia are within a few centimeters of the CNS; parasympathetic ganglia are close to the visceral organs served. C) Sympathetic division has short preganglionic and long postganglionic fibers; parasympathetic has long preganglionic and short postganglionic fibers. D) Sympathetic has extensive branching of preganglionic fibers; parasympathetic has minimal branching of preganglionic fibers.

B) NE and epinephrine are secreted into the blood as part of the sympathetic response

Sympathetic responses generally are widespread because ________. A) inactivation of ACh is fairly slow B) NE and epinephrine are secreted into the blood as part of the sympathetic response C) preganglionic fibers are short D) preganglionic fibers are long

D) first thoracic

Sympathetic nerves may leave the spinal cord at which vertebra? A) second cervical B) third lumbar C) first coccyx D) first thoracic

C) the cell bodies of motor neurons

Autonomic ganglia contain ________. A) an outer connective tissue capsule around the cell bodies of preganglionic motor neurons B) synapses between postganglionic fibers and their effectors C) the cell bodies of motor neurons D) both somatic afferent and efferent neurons

B) oculomotor (III)

The parasympathetic fibers of the ________ nerves innervate smooth muscles of the eye that cause the lenses to bulge to accommodate close vision. A) optic (II) B) oculomotor (III) C) trochlear (IV) D) abducens (VI)

D) splanchnic nerves

Fibers that enter and leave the sympathetic trunks without synapsing form structures called ________. A) white rami communicantes B) gray rami communicantes C) spinal nerves D) splanchnic nerves

C) inferior hypogastric

Which of the following is NOT a plexus of the vagus (X) nerve? A) cardiac B) pulmonary C) inferior hypogastric D) esophageal

C) visceral arcs involve two motor neurons

Visceral reflex arcs differ from somatic in that ________. A) visceral arcs contain two sensory neurons B) somatic arcs contain one additional component that visceral arcs do not possess C) visceral arcs involve two motor neurons D) visceral arcs do not use integration centers

C) determines normal activity of the urinary tract

The parasympathetic tone ________. A) prevents unnecessary heart deceleration B) accelerates activity of the digestive tract C) determines normal activity of the urinary tract D) causes blood pressure to rise

A) synapse with a parasympathetic neuron in the same trunk ganglion

Once a sympathetic preganglionic axon reaches a trunk ganglion, it can do all of the following EXCEPT? A) synapse with a parasympathetic neuron in the same trunk ganglion B) synapse with a ganglionic neuron in the same trunk ganglion C) ascend or descend the trunk to synapse in another trunk ganglion D) pass through the trunk ganglion without synapsing with another neuron

C) reticular formation

Which of the following appears to exert the most direct influence over autonomic functions? A) hypothalamus B) midbrain C) reticular formation D) medulla oblongata

B) decrease heart rate and blood pressure

Drugs called beta-blockers ________. A) increase a dangerously low heart rate B) decrease heart rate and blood pressure C) have widespread sympathetic effects D) are potent antidepressants

B) is primarily under parasympathetic control

Erection (vasodilation) of the penis or clitoris ________. A) is primarily under sympathetic control B) is primarily under parasympathetic control C) is the result of coordinated activation by both sympathetic and parasympathetic input D) depends very little on autonomic activation

D) regulation of body temperature

Which is a uniquely sympathetic function? A) regulation of pupil size B) regulation of cardiac rate C) regulation of respiratory rate D) regulation of body temperature

A) is characterized by exaggerated vasoconstriction in the extremities

Raynaud’s disease ________. A) is characterized by exaggerated vasoconstriction in the extremities B) is induced by heat stress C) occurs primarily in association with injury to the spinal cord D) is frequently life threatening

B) involves uncontrolled activation of autonomic neurons

Autonomic dysreflexia ________. A) is also known as autonomic areflexia B) involves uncontrolled activation of autonomic neurons C) usually precedes spinal shock D) results from over-excitatory input from the cortex

D) those that pass through the trunk ganglion to synapse in collateral or prevertebral ganglia

Which sympathetic fibers form a splanchnic nerve? A) those that synapse with parasympathetic fibers B) those that synapse in the same trunk ganglion they entered C) those that synapse with somatic fibers D) those that pass through the trunk ganglion to synapse in collateral or prevertebral ganglia

A) beta 1

Which of the following adrenergic neurotransmitter receptors plays the major role in heart activity? A) beta 1 B) beta 2 C) beta 3 D) alpha 1

D) within spinal cord

Where would you NOT find autonomic ganglia? A) unpaired, anterior to spinal cord B) paired, beside spinal cord C) within wall of organ served or close to organ D) within spinal cord

C) increased blood glucose, decreased GI peristalsis, and increased heart rate and blood pressure

Sympathetic division stimulation causes ________. A) decreased blood glucose, increased GI peristalsis, and increased heart rate and blood pressure B) increased blood glucose, increased GI peristalsis, and decreased heart rate and blood pressure C) increased blood glucose, decreased GI peristalsis, and increased heart rate and blood pressure D) decreased blood glucose, increased GI peristalsis, and decreased heart rate and blood pressure

D) vagus (X) nerves

The smooth muscle of the digestive viscera is served largely by the ________. A) lumbar splanchnic nerves B) cephalic plexus C) pelvic nerves D) vagus (X) nerves

C) vagus (X) nerves

The route of major parasympathetic outflow from the head is via the ________. A) sympathetic trunk B) phrenic nerve C) vagus (X) nerves D) sacral nerves

C) lens accommodation for close vision

Parasympathetic functions include ________. A) a stimulation of heart rate and force of contraction B) allowing the body to cope with an external threat C) lens accommodation for close vision D) raising blood glucose levels

B) hypothalamus

Emotions influence autonomic reactions primarily through integration in the ________. A) lateral horn of the spinal cord B) hypothalamus C) lateral geniculate of the thalamus D) inferior colliculus

A) all effector cells stimulated by postganglionic cholinergic fibers

The mushroom poison muscarine can bind to receptors on ________. A) all effector cells stimulated by postganglionic cholinergic fibers B) the hormone producing cells of the adrenal medulla C) cell bodies and dendrites of parasympathetic postganglionic neurons D) cell bodies and dendrites of sympathetic postganglionic neurons

A) nicotinic agents

Which of the following drug classes would be useful for smoking cessation products? A) nicotinic agents B) parasympathomimetic agents (muscarinic agents) C) acetylcholinesterase inhibitors D) sympathomimetic agents

C) increased glucose uptake to the liver from blood

A mugger steals your wallet causing all of the following to happen EXCEPT ________. A) increased rate and force of heartbeat B) inability to read close-up print C) increased glucose uptake to the liver from blood D) increased metabolic rate

D) promotes urination; sympathetic

Which of the following is mismatched? A) gallbladder contracts to expel bile; parasympathetic B) bronchiole dilation in lungs; sympathetic C) penis ejaculation; sympathetic D) promotes urination; sympathetic

B) muscarinic receptor inhibitor

Which type of drug would be useful in dilating the pupils for an examination of the retina? A) beta-3 receptor mimic B) muscarinic receptor inhibitor C) alpha-1 receptor inhibitor D) beta-1 receptor mimic

C) small intestine

Which target organ receives dual innervation? A) kidney B) sweat glands C) small intestine D) coronary blood vessels

D) parasympathetic postganglionic fibers; release NE

Which of the following is mismatched? A) sympathetic preganglionic fibers; release ACh B) parasympathetic preganglionic fibers; release ACh C) sympathetic postganglionic fibers; release NE D) parasympathetic postganglionic fibers; release NE