Exam 5 Review:  Chapter 14:  ANS Nicknames

"SLUD" - a mnemonic memory tool for recalling the response of visceral effectors to parasympathetic stimulation:  Salivation, Lacrimation, Urination, Defecation.

"D" system - a mnemonic memory tool for recalling the response of visceral effectors to parasympathetic stimulation:  digestion, defecation, and diuresis (urination).

"E" system - a mnemonic memory tool for recalling the response of visceral effectors to sympathetic stimulation: exercise, excitement, emergency, and embarrassment.

"Fight or Flight" - One of the main functional responsibilities of the sympathetic nervous system is to ready the body for emergencies, producing a physiological and psychological response to a threat; during this automatic, involuntary response, an area of the brain stem will activate sympathetic pathways to release increased quantity of norepinephrine and other fibers will stimulate the adrenal medulla to release norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenalin) into the bloodstream; this increased presence of norepinephrine and epinephrine at effectors which respond to these chemicals causes a faster heart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate and increased muscle tension; there is also a shunting of the blood to capillary beds of skeletal muscles, and the release of blood glucose, lipids, lactic acid and other chemicals, all of which is involved in getting the body ready for fighting the danger (a tiger, a mugger), or running away from the threat; others systems will be inhibited to some degree as their functions may be "paused" or slowed during the emergency, such as digestive processes and urination; psychological responses may include feelings of stomach churning, nausea, dread, fear, even of impending doom.

Compare and contrast:

2. the physiological effects of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.  Use specific examples.

Parasympathetic Division Sympathetic Division
1.  provides negative feedback control to maintain normal homeostasis in most internal organ systems

2.  supports digestive, excretory, and reproductive functions

3.  diverts blood to capillary beds of skin, adipose tissue, and most internal organ systems

4.  supports metabolic "business as usual"

1.  provides positive feedback control to support increasing levels of skeletal muscle activity

2.  supports skeletal muscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory functions

3.  diverts blood to capillary beds of skeletal muscle, heart, and lungs

4.  supports physical exertion and "fight-or-flight" emergencies

List  and describe:

4. three examples of visceral organs/tissues innervated by the ANS that receive no parasympathetic innervation and one example of an organ innervated by the ANS that receives no sympathetic innervation.

organs/tissues that receive no parasympathetic innervation organs/tissues that receive no sympathetic innervation
liver, adrenal medulla, spleen, kidney, sweat glands, uterus pancreas, ureters


5. for each organ or system below, the general response of the organ or system to both parasympathetic and sympathetic stimulation:

     a. pupil of the eye
     b. heart
     c. bronchial smooth muscle in the lungs
     d. stomach and intestines
     e. liver
     f.  kidney
     g. urinary bladder
     h. adrenal medulla
     i.  sweat glands
     j.  blood vessels supplying skeletal muscle
     k. blood vessels supplying abdominal organs

organ or system general response of the organ or system to parasympathetic stimulation general response of the organ or system to sympathetic stimulation
pupil of the eye constriction of pupil dilation of pupil
heart decreased rate and force of contraction increased rate and force of contraction
bronchial smooth muscle in the lungs bronchoconstriction bronchodilation
stomach and intestines increased digestive activities decreased digestive activities
liver no response release glucose into bloodstream
kidney no response local vasoconstriction → decreased urine output; increased renin production
urinary bladder relax sphincter; constrict muscular wall → permits voiding constrict sphincter; relax muscular wall → inhibits voiding
adrenal medulla no response secrete epinephrine = adrenalin and norepinephrine
sweat glands no response increases sweating
blood vessels supplying skeletal muscle decreased blood flow increased blood flow
blood vessels supplying abdominal organs increased blood flow decreased blood flow