title: Overview of the Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology of the Autonomic Nervous System.
abstract: Comprised of the sympathetic nervous system, parasympathetic nervous system, and enteric nervous system, the autonomic nervous system (ANS) provides the neural control of all parts of the body except for skeletal muscles. The ANS has the major responsibility to ensure that the physiological integrity of cells, tissues, and organs throughout the entire body is maintained (homeostasis) in the face of perturbations exerted by both the external and internal environments. Many commonly prescribed drugs, over-the-counter drugs, toxins, and toxicants function by altering transmission within the ANS. Autonomic dysfunction is a signature of many neurological diseases or disorders. Despite the physiological relevance of the ANS, most neuroscience textbooks offer very limited coverage of this portion of the nervous system. This review article provides both historical and current information about the anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the ANS. The ultimate aim is for this article to be a valuable resource for those interested in learning the basics of these two components of the ANS and to appreciate its importance in both health and disease. Other resources should be consulted for a thorough understanding of the third division of the ANS, the enteric nervous system. © 2016 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 6:1239-1278, 2016.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Erica A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Wehrwein
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Orer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology &Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Barman
mesh_terms: D001338:Autonomic Fibers, Postganglionic / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001339:Autonomic Fibers, Preganglionic / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000502:physiology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D009638:Norepinephrine