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Examples of Autonomic Nervous System Pathways

Examples of Autonomic Nervous System Pathways

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update: Oct 19th, 2022

Shown here are examples of visceral or autonomic pathways that allow the central nervous system (CNS) to regulate blood pressure and heart rate.

An image showing the autonomic nervous system pathway from the brain to the effective organ passing through the spinal cord, conducting the action potential requires 1 sensory neuron and 3 motor neurons (Upper motor neuron, preganglionic motor neuron and postganglionic motor neuron)

An image showing the autonomic nervous system pathway from the brain to the effective organ passing through the spinal cord, conducting the action potential requires 1 sensory neuron and 3 motor neurons (Upper motor neuron, preganglionic motor neuron and postganglionic motor neuron)

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When blood pressure (BP) declines, pressure receptors (baroreceptors) in the wall of the aortic artery detect the change and a corrective, involuntary reflex begins.

An image showing the stimulation of the autonomic nervous system as result of decrease in blood pressure

An image showing the stimulation of the autonomic nervous system as result of decrease in blood pressure

An image showing the stimulation of the autonomic nervous system as result of decrease in blood pressure

An image showing the stimulation of the autonomic nervous system as result of decrease in blood pressure

An image showing the stimulation of the autonomic nervous system as result of decrease in blood pressure

An image showing the stimulation of the autonomic nervous system as result of decrease in blood pressure

An image showing the stimulation of the autonomic nervous system as result of decrease in blood pressure

Action potentials (electro-chemical impulses) are generated in autonomic sensory (afferent) neurons and conducted to the cardiac regulatory center in the brainstem.

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An image showing the action potential from the hear to the cardiac regulatory center through the sensory neuron

An image showing the action potential from the hear to the cardiac regulatory center through the sensory neuron

An image showing the action potential from the hear to the cardiac regulatory center through the sensory neuron

An image showing the action potential from the hear to the cardiac regulatory center through the sensory neuron

An image showing the action potential from the hear to the cardiac regulatory center through the sensory neuron

An image showing the action potential from the hear to the cardiac regulatory center through the sensory neuron

An image showing the action potential from the hear to the cardiac regulatory center through the sensory neuron

An image showing the action potential from the hear to the cardiac regulatory center through the sensory neuron

An image showing the action potential from the hear to the cardiac regulatory center through the sensory neuron

An image showing the action potential from the hear to the cardiac regulatory center through the sensory neuron

An image showing the action potential from the hear to the cardiac regulatory center through the sensory neuron

An image showing the action potential from the hear to the cardiac regulatory center through the sensory neuron

An image showing the action potential from the hear to the cardiac regulatory center through the sensory neuron

An image showing the action potential from the hear to the cardiac regulatory center through the sensory neuron

From the brainstem, response impulses are conducted down the spinal cord by CNS neurons.

An image showing the action potential from the cardiac regulatory center to the preganglionic motor neuron through the upper motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from the cardiac regulatory center to the preganglionic motor neuron through the upper motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from the cardiac regulatory center to the preganglionic motor neuron through the upper motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from the cardiac regulatory center to the preganglionic motor neuron through the upper motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from the cardiac regulatory center to the preganglionic motor neuron through the upper motor neuron

These impulses are then transmitted to sympathetic motor neurons (efferent neurons) that originate in the spinal cord. The motor neurons conduct the impulses out of the spinal cord sympathetic ganglion located next to the vertebral column. Here, synapses occur and a second set of neurons carry the impulses on to the heart.

An image showing the action potential from to the postganglionic motor neuron through the preganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the postganglionic motor neuron through the preganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the postganglionic motor neuron through the preganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the postganglionic motor neuron through the preganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the postganglionic motor neuron through the preganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the postganglionic motor neuron through the preganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the postganglionic motor neuron through the preganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the postganglionic motor neuron through the preganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

An image showing the action potential from to the autonomic receptors in the heart through the postganglionic motor neuron

On their arrival, the impulses stimulate the hear to beat faster and more forcefully.