Welcome to Clinical anatomy of the head, neck and neuronal pathways
Lecture #13
Department of Anatomy
MUNI, MED
Alemeh Zamani, Ph.D.
Spring 2023
Arrangement and function of the autonomic nervous system
Functions:
o Contraction and relaxation of smooth muscles
o Function of all exocrine glands
o Heart rate
o Some metabolic processes
Sympathetic:
Thoracolumbar outflow
T1-L2
Parasympathetic:
Craniosacral outflow
CN III, VII, IX, X & S2-S4
Autonomic Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous System
Sympathetic Nervous System
Catabolic reaction (activities that are mobilized during emergency and stress situations
Fight or Flight
Generalized reaction of body
o Coronary artery
o Increase heart rate
o Bronchodilation
o Mydriasis
o Sweat secretion
o Glycemia
Anatomical Organization of the Sympathetic Preganglionic and Postganglionic Axons
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Anabolic reactions (activities associated with conservation and
restoration of body resources
Rest and Digest
Localized reaction of body
o Decrease heart rate
o Bronchoconstriction
o GIT activation
o Miosis
Pathways distributing visceral sensory information in the brain Pathways that control autonomic responses
Central parts of Autonomic Nervous System
Central parts of Autonomic Nervous System
Innervation of the Eye
The sphincter pupillae is supplied by
parasympathetic nerves.
The dilator pupillae is supplied by
sympathetic nerves.
Pupilary Light Reflex
A reflex that controls the diameter of the pupil, in response to the intensity of light (luminance) that falls on
the retina of the eye
o mydriasis: dilation of the pupil
o miosis: constriction of the pupil
o direct response
o consensual response
o anisocoria
o Accommodation reflex involves convergence (voluntary),
pupillary constriction and accommodation (involuntary).
Edinger-Westphal nuclei → oculomotor nerve → ciliary ganglion → short ciliary nerves → sphincter pupillae and ciliaris
Accommodation Reflex
o Changing the radius of curvature of the lens to focus
the world on the retina.
Reading list
Thank you very much for your attention