Control of Autonomic Activity
| Home | | Anatomy and Physiology | | Anatomy and Physiology Health Education (APHE) |Chapter: Anatomy and Physiology for Health Professionals: Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
The ANS is mostly controlled by the brain and spinal cord, yet has some independent actions due to impulse integration in its ganglia.
Control of
Autonomic Activity
The ANS is mostly controlled by
the brain and spinal cord, yet has some independent actions due to impulse
integration in its ganglia. The medulla oblongata’s reflex centers for cardiac,
respiratory, and vasomotor activities receive sensory impulses from the viscera
on vagus nerve fibers. The reflex centers then use auto-nomic nerve pathways to
generate motor responses in certain glands and muscles. Therefore, these reflex
centers control the ANS. By influencing autonomic pathways, the hypothalamus
helps regulate hunger, thirst, temperature, and the balance of water and
elec-trolytes. The cerebral cortex, limbic system, and other higher brain
levels control the ANS during emotional stress. This means that the ANS
pathways can affect behavior and emotions.
Related Topics
