Drugs Affecting Autonomic Ganglia (Including the Adrenal Medulla)
Kenneth J. Broadley in Autonomic Pharmacology, 2017
Autonomic ganglia consist of clusters of postganglionic cell bodies which, in the case of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system, are located alongside the vertebral column as the sympathetic chain (vertebral ganglia) or more distally in the body cavities as discrete peripheral ganglia. The parasympathetic ganglia are located usually within the organ that is innervated. They form more diffuse networks or plexuses of cells, such as the myenteric plexus of the gastrointestinal tract (Figure 1.5). The anatomical differences between parasympathetic and sympathetic ganglia are described in Chapter 1 and are illustrated in Figure 1.3 and 1.4. The sympathetic ganglia form more discrete structures and are therefore more accessible for study, since electrodes may be placed pre- and postganglionically to examine the pharmacological effects of drugs upon transmission through the ganglion and upon the end organ response to nerve stimulation.
The control systems: nervous and endocrine
Nick Draper, Helen Marshall in Exercise Physiology, 2014
Parasympathetic pre-ganglionic neurons originate only from cranial nerves or the sacral region of the spinal cord and connect with the parasympathetic autonomic ganglions. The parasympathetic autonomic ganglia are located close to or within the walls of the organ they innervate, so by the time the nerve impulse reaches the parasym-pathetic ganglion it has almost completed its journey. In contrast to the sympathetic system, therefore, the para-sympathetic division has long pre-ganglionic neurons and short post-ganglionic neurons (see Figure 4.12). The pre- and post-ganglionic neurons of the parasympathetic system release acetylcholine from the axon terminals as the neurotransmitter.
The Autonomic Nervous System
Bernard J. Dalens, Jean-Pierre Monnet, Yves Harmand in Pediatric Regional Anesthesia, 2019
Postganglionic fibers are still smaller (0.3 to 1.3 μm in diameter) and slower (conduction velocity 0.7 to 2.3 m/s). They are mostly unmyelinated and are known as C fibers. Parasympathetic autonomic ganglia may be divided into two groups: Prevertebral ganglia are aggregations of postganglionic nerve cells adjacent to the abdominal aorta and its visceral branches (see Figure 1.38) and synapse with preganglionic fibers originating from brain stem nuclei.Terminal ganglia are located closely to the organs they innervate and synapse with fibers from sacral nuclei (Figure 1.63). Terminal ganglia of the intestine, the pancreas, the liver, and the kidneys synapse with fibers from the vagus nerve. The intestinal terminal ganglia form the plexus of Meissner (submucosal) and of Auerbach (myenteric) and extend the length of the digestive tract.
Autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy: an update on diagnosis and treatment
Published in Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 2018
Shunya Nakane, Akihiro Mukaino, Osamu Higuchi, Mari Watari, Yasuhiro Maeda, Makoto Yamakawa, Keiichi Nakahara, Koutaro Takamatsu, Hidenori Matsuo, Yukio Ando
The autonomic nervous system has a unique anatomic structure (Figure 3). Unlike the somatic motor and sensory systems, the autonomic system is composed of groups of neurons (ganglia) with extensive synaptic connections outside the central nervous system (CNS). Like the somatic motor nerves, peripheral autonomic nerves originate with cholinergic motor neurons in the brainstem and spinal cord that project to the periphery [3]. These preganglionic nerves synapse with neurons in autonomic ganglia. The peripheral autonomic neurons, especially in the case of the intrinsic enteric autonomic nervous system, also synapse extensively with each other. Fast synaptic transmission within autonomic ganglia is mediated by acetylcholine acting on nAChRs. The gAChR mediates fast synaptic transmission in all ganglia (sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric ganglia) in the peripheral autonomic nervous system.
The future of cardioneuroablation in cardiovascular medicine
Published in Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy, 2022
Tolga Aksu, Asad Khan, Henry Huang
Cardiac parasympathetic nervous system can be divided into extrinsic (the vagus nerve) and intrinsic parts (GPs) [5]. Presynaptic parasympathetic neurons extend from the central nervous system to sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes, both atrial and ventricular myocardium, as well as GPs, via the vagus nerve [17]. Postsynaptic parasympathetic neurons called as autonomic ganglia are distributed mostly within the epicardium. Epicardial autonomic ganglia are usually clustered in the following five major and one minor atrial locations: 1) the superior right atrial GP (RSGP); 2) the inferior (posterior) right atrial GP (RIGP); 3) the superior left atrial GP (LSGP); 4) the posteromedial left atrial GP (PMLGP); 5) the interatrial septal GP consisting of fusion and extensions of RIGP and PMLGP; and 6) the inferior (posterolateral) left atrial GP (LIGP) (Figure 1) [5]. The vein of Marshall is also considered part of the cardiac parasympathetic nervous system (the Marshall tract GP) which innervates surrounding left atrial structures, including the pulmonary veins (PVs), left atrial appendage, and coronary sinus [18].
Disruption of the network between Onuf’s nucleus and myenteric ganglia, and developing Hirschsprung-like disease following spinal subarachnoid haemorrhage: an experimental study
Published in International Journal of Neuroscience, 2019
Ozgur Caglar, Binali Firinci, Mehmet Dumlu Aydin, Erdem Karadeniz, Ali Ahiskalioglu, Sare Altas Sipal, Murat Yigiter, Ahmet Bedii Salman
Intestinal functions are regulated by autonomic nervous system represented by the sympathetic splanchnic nerves, parasympathetic S2–4 roots. Insular cortex (IC) modulate vagal nerve functions, is also a site with autonomic efferent projections [15]. SAH causes ischemic insults to the vagal nerve ganglia [10,16]. The IC and hypothalamo–hypophysial axis together with Onuf’s nucleus are able to integrate inputs coming from the digestive tract [17]. Innervation of colon and rectum are regulated by the autonomic nervous system [18]. As mentioned above, the pelvic autonomic ganglia receive spinal inputs from intestinal and urogenital organs via hypogastric and pelvic nerves [19]. Thoracolumbar and lumbosacral spinal segments receive afferent input from the descending colon and rectum [20]. The sensation of rectal distension travels with the parasympathetic system to S2, S3, and S4. The inferior hypogastric plexus and its rectal branch lesions resemble Hirschsprung disease [21]. Barrington’s nucleus network may have a role in colonic function along with vagal nerves [22].
Related Knowledge Centers
- Autonomic Nervous System
- Parasympathetic Ganglia
- Ganglion
- Neuron
- Soma
- Sympathetic Ganglia