Surgery | Basic Science | Autonomic Nervous System part a

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Part A: Structure and Function
Session Overview
Description
This session is part of the topic “Homeostasis”. It is concerned with the structure, functions and integrational aspects of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the structure and functions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)
• Explain the role of Central Nervous System (CNS) structures, particularly the medulla and hypothalamus, in processing the sensory inflow and organising the motor outflow in the ANS
• Describe the arrangement of ganglia in the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) and Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS).

This session is part of the topic “Homeostasis”. It is concerned with the structure and functions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) (Fig 1).

In addition to its fundamental importance per se, an understanding of how the ANS functions is of central importance when considering topics such as the control of cardiac function following haemorrhage. The ANS is also intimately involved in pathophysiological events such as acute kidney injury. Drugs which are targeted at the ANS are widely used therapeutically.

This session is therefore a prerequisite for several other sessions in the physiology component of the programme.