Question

Compare the sympathetic & the parasympathetic nervous systems. You need to address the origins of both, ganglia, pre & post-ganglionic fibers, neurotransmitters involved, & receptors.

Answer 1

Sympathetic system :

i) origin from thoracic and lumbar regions , so thoraco-lumbar outflow

ii)ganglia : paravertebral and pre vertebral ganglia

iii) pre- ganglionic fibers : short and produce acetyl choline

iv) post-ganglionic fibers :large and produce adrenaline

v) neurotransmitter : Adrenaline , nor-adrenaline

vi) receptors : alpha-1 , alpha-2 , beta-1 ,beta-2 ,beta-3 receptors

Parasympathetic system:

i) orgin : from cranium and sacrum , so cranio-sacral outflow

ii) ganglia : ciliary , otic, pterygopalatine and submandibular ganglia

iii) pre-ganglionic fibers : large and secrete acetylcholine

iv) post - ganglionic fibers : short and secrete acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter: mainly acetylcholine

v)Receptors: nicotinic and muscarinic receptors