title: Physiology of muscarinic functions.
abstract: The general features and distributions of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors are compared. The unusual aspects of the transmission of cholinergic impulses to the muscarinic receptors of eccrine sweat glands are discussed, and evidence is presented for an intermediate adrenergic step. The modulating roles of muscarinic receptors in sympathetic ganglia are considered as well as possible sources of the catecholamine involved in producing the inhibitory potential. The responses to activation of muscarinic receptors in the central nervous system suggest that they may regulate the level of neuronal excitability. Recent directions of research on the function of muscarinic receptors is summarized.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology*; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000502:physiology*; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000502:physiology*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000502:physiology; D013545:Sweat Glands / Q000502:physiology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
chemical_list: D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic