Autonomic nervous system

What is the primary function of the autonomic nervous system?

• To manage conscious thoughts and memory

• To process sensory information from the external environment

• To influence visceral organs and restore homeostasis

• To control voluntary movements of skeletal muscles

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The term "autonomic" in autonomic nervous system refers to

• Its self-governing nature without need for CNS involvement

• Its association with the body wall and surface

• Its role in stimulating somatic organs only

• Its dependence on constant CNS management

How does the autonomic nervous system differ from the somatic nervous system in terms of target structures?

• ANS targets organs within the body, while somatic targets viscera

• ANS targets viscera (internal organs), while somatic targets body wall/surface

• Both target the same structures but use different neurons

• Somatic is self-governing, while ANS requires CNS communication

The two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system are:

• Central and peripheral

• Sensory and motor

• Sympathetic/thoracolumbar and parasympathetic/craniosacral

• Afferent and efferent

What is meant by "autonomic tone" in the context of the ANS divisions?

• The tone refers to the amplification of signals in the CNS

• The ANS operates without any opposition between its branches

• Only one division is active at a time to maintain homeostasis

• The two divisions constantly antagonize each other, with one stimulating and one inhibiting visceral organs

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How do visceral motor pathways in the ANS differ from somatic motor pathways?

• Both use the same number of neurons but differ in origin

• ANS uses a single neuron to the target organ, while somatic uses two

• ANS uses at least two neurons (pre- and post-ganglionic), while somatic uses one

• Somatic pathways involve ganglia, while ANS does not

What is a ganglion in the context of the autonomic nervous system?

• A collection of neuron soma outside the CNS

• A type of pre-ganglionic neuron

• • A collection of neuron soma inside the CNS

• A type of pre-ganglionic neuron

In ANS neural pathways, what happens in the ganglion regarding signal transmission?

• Many neuron processes enter, and one exits

• Signals are terminated in the ganglion without exiting

• • One neuron process enters with a signal (afferent), and many exit (efferent) for signal amplification

• One neuron process enters with a signal, and one exits (no amplification)

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Where do pre-ganglionic neurons of the ANS originate?

• The hypothalamus
• From the brainstem and lateral horn of the spinal cord

• The cerebellum
• The peripheral nervous system

Which of the following accurately describes the sympathetic nervous system?

• The sympathetic nervous system regulates sleep and rest cycles.
• • Pre-ganglionic neurons from lateral horn of thoracic-lumbar spinal cord, post-ganglionic in paired paravertebral ganglia

• Pre-ganglionic neurons from brainstem, post-ganglionic in organ-specific ganglia

• It inhibits all visceral organs without antagonism

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