"Rest & Digest" - Parasympathetic nervous system.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Responses to activation of the parasympathetic system.

Parasympathetic nerves regulate processes connected with energy assimilation (food intake, digestion, absorption) and storage. These processes operate when the body is at rest, allowing a decreased tidal volume (increased bronchomotor tone) and decreased cardiac activity. Secretion of saliva and intestinal fluids promotes the digestion of foodstuffs; transport of intestinal contents is speeded up because of enhanced peristaltic activity and lowered tone of sphincteric muscles.

To empty the urinary bladder (micturition), wall tension is increased by detrusor activation with a concurrent relaxation of sphincter tonus.

Activation of ocular parasympathetic fibers (see below) results in narrowing of the pupil and increased curvature of the lens, enabling near objects to be brought into focus (accommodation).

Anatomy of the parasympathetic system.

The cell bodies of parasympathetic preganglionic neurons are located in the brainstem and the sacral spinal cord. Parasympathetic outflow is channeled from the brainstem (1) through the third cranial nerve (oculomotor n.) via the ciliary ganglion to the eye; (2) through the seventh cranial nerve (facial n.) via the pterygopalatine and submaxillary ganglia to lacrimal glands and salivary glands (sublingual, submandibular), respectively; (3) through the ninth cranial nerve (glossopharyngeal n.) via the otic ganglion to the parotid gland; and (4) via the tenth cranial nerve (vagus n.) to thoracic and abdominal viscera. Approximately 75 % of all parasympathetic fibers are contained within the vagus nerve. The neurons of the sacral division innervate the distal colon, rectum, bladder, the distal ureters, and the external genitalia.

Acetylcholine (ACh) as a transmitter.

ACh serves as mediator at terminals of all postganglionic parasympathetic fibers, in addition to fulfilling its transmitter role at ganglionic synapses within both the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions and the motor endplates on striated muscle. However, different types of receptors are present at these synaptic junctions.

Thanks & Best Regards,

Mukesh Patel