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Central components
hypothalamus
brain stem
spinal cord
Peripheral components
sympathetic nerves
parasympathetic nerves
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V#$% 
Sympathetic nervous system
6 coordinates the bodys responses to stress
6 nerve fibers emerge from the spinal
segments T1-L2
6 preganglionic nerve cells are located in the
interomedial lateral nuclei (IML)
6 postganglionic cells are located in ganglia
near the spinal cord
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6 neurotransmitters:
- preganglionic fibers: acetylcholine (Ach)
- postganglionic fibers: norepinephrine
(NE)
- exceptions: sweet glands, piloerector
muscle and a few blood vessels also
called adrenergic fibers
6 receptors that NE activates
- receptors
1, 2
6 receptors (greater sensitivity to
isoproterenol)
1, 2
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Parasympathetic nervous system

6 coordinates the bodys more vegetative
activities such as digestion
6 nerve fibers exit from the brain stem and
sacral level of the spinal cord
6 preganglionic fibers have long axons
6 ganglia are near or in target organs
6 neurotransmitters:
preganglionic fibers: acetylcholine
postganglionic fibers: acetylcholine
also called cholinergic fibers
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6 Autonomic neurons release their

neurotransmitter from enlarged areas
known as varicosities
6The varicosities of autonomic
neurons are found along the distal
end of the postganglionic axon

6 Action potential arriving at varicosity

opens voltage-gated Ca2+
channels, causing exocytosis of
synaptic vesicles
6 Any NE transported back into axon
can be metabolized by monoamine
oxidase (MAO) or taken back into
synaptic vesicles for re-release
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6 receptors that Ach activates:

nicotinic receptors located on the
postganglionic neurons
muscarinic receptors
M1, M2
located on target cells
Reciprocal regulation of bodily organs by
sympathetic and parasympathetic systems
6 reciprocal regulation at effector organs
e.g. blood pressure
heart
blood vessels
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6 antagonistic actions are controlled at the

site of the target organ
- 2 on presynaptic terminals of
cholinergic neurons
NE 2 Ach
- M2 on presynaptic terminals of
adrenergic neurons
Ach M2 NE
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Heart
6 Sympathetic fibers: increase the overall
activity of the heart
by increasing the rate and the force of heart
contraction
6 Parasympathetic fibers: the opposite effects
Lungs
6 Bronchial muscles
6 Bronchial glands
6 Blood vessels
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6 effects on target organs
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Gastrointestinal system
6 stomach
motility and tone
sphincters
secretion
6 intestine
motility and tone
sphincters
secretion
Intrinsic eye muscles
6 iris muscles
6 ciliary muscle
Blood vessels: coronary, skeletal muscle, etc
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&'%'%%
Release norepinephrine (20%) and epinephrine
(EP, 80%) into circulating blood
Stimulated by sympathetic nerves
Similar effects as sympathetic stimulation except
of 5-10 times longer
Differences of EP from NE
6 greater effect on heart ( receptor effects)
6 weak constriction of the blood vessels in
the muscles
6 greater metabolic effect (5-10 times)
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Importance of the adrenal medulla

6 supports the sympathetic system and
provides a safety factor
6 can stimulate the structures that are not
innervated by sympathetic fibers