Autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system was first described
as “cells and fibers that pass to tissues other than
the skeletal muscle” (Langley, 1921).
Biofeedback- a set of techniques that enable
people to control typically unconscious or
involuntary functions such as blood pressure.
The autonomic nervous system participates in a
large number of critical regulatory functions
Many reflexive behaviors are carried out with the
assistance of autonomic neurons.
SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS
SYSTEM
•The division of the autonomic nervous
system that coordinates arousal.
• is known as our fight-or-flight system.
• Both the sympathetic and
parasympathetic systems communicate
with cells in ganglia outside the spinal
cord, which then form a second
connection with a target organ. Both
systems use the chemical messenger
acetylcholine (ACh) to communicate with
their ganglia. At the target organ, the
parasympathetic nervous system continues
to use acetylcholine. The sympathetic
nervous system, however, switches to
another chemical messenger,
norepinephrine, to communicate with
target organs. The only exception is the
connection between the sympathetic
nerves and the sweat glands, where
acetylcholine is still used.
PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS
SYSTEM
The job of the parasympathetic nervous system is
to provide rest, repair, and energy storage.
“Rest and digest” response.
Whereas the neurons for the sympathetic nervous
system are found in the thoracic and lumbar
regions of the spinal cord, the neurons for the
parasympathetic nervous system are found above
and below these regions
