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Autonomic Nervous System

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The autonomic nervous system, ANS for short, is a subdivision of the peripheral nervous system; which is responsible for regulation of homeostasis and coordinates the functions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems. The ANS is like the Somatic Nervous System as they both have afferent and efferent neurons; while in the ANS, the afferent pathways originate in visceral receptors and efferent pathways attach to the visceral effector organs. ANS can be further subdivided into two major divisions: the sympathetic division and the parasympathetic division. These two subdivisions can work in three different ways: opposite of each other, independently, or together through a more complex process.
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There are two types of sympathetic ganglia found within the sympathetic division which are the sympathetic chain ganglia and collateral ganglia. A white ramus and preganglionic fibers branch off the ventral roots between the spinal nerves T1 and L2 forming a sympathetic chain ganglion. Major responses by sympathetic chain ganglia include but is not limited to acceleration of heart rate, stimulation of secretion by sweat glands, dilation of pupils and focusing on objects in the distance. The purpose of resulting responses from sympathetic stimuli is to help the body cope with any activity that requires physical movement. The second type of ganglion found is the collateral ganglia which vary in shape and size depending where they are located. Unlike other ganglia that come in pairs, collateral ganglia are frequently single. Again the major responses include but are not limited to by collateral ganglia are the relaxation of the smooth muscle in the wall of the bladder, some control of certain sexual functions, a decrease in the activity of the digestive system. When stimulation occurs in the sympathetic division, it can either release norepinephrine (sometimes acetylcholine) in the neuroeffector junctions or secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine into the general …show more content…
The parasympathetic division is made up of preganglionic neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord, as well as ganglionic neurons in the peripheral ganglia that are often found near by the target organs. The preganglionic fibers found in the parasympathetic division leave as cranial nerves oculomotor, facial, glossopharyngeal, and vagus. These responses are often quick and limited only to specific sites due to the enzymes at the postsynaptic plasmalemma and surrounding

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