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10.0: Introduction

Pharmacology for Nurses · LibreTexts

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    From LibreTexts, under CC BY 4.0, as the source states it; its equations are written in TeX, which the PDF shows typeset. This page at LibreTexts.

    A human brain is shown attached to the top part of the spinal cord. Thin nerves are coming out of the spinal cord.
    Figure 10.1 The nervous system, the body’s control center, consists of the brain, the spinal cord, and a complex system of nerves. (CC BY 4.0; Rice University & OpenStax)

    The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is divided into two main subdivisions: the somatic motor system and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The somatic nervous system controls voluntary muscle movement, and the autonomic nervous system is responsible for regulating numerous involuntary functions, such as the heart, secretory glands, and smooth muscle. The ANS is further divided into the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) (see Figure 10.2). The PSNS relaxes the body and maintains certain life-sustaining properties such as digestion and excretion. The SNS is involved in the fight-or-flight response by preparing the body to deal with stressors. There are two primary types of receptors within the PNS: cholinergic receptors and adrenergic receptors. Cholinergic receptors are activated by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) and can be activated by endogenous or exogenous substances. Adrenergic receptors are stimulated by the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (Bekdash, 2021). In addition, these primary receptors have subtypes.

    A diagram of the human body highlights the organs and spinal column associated with the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system constricts pupils, stimulates salivation, constricts bronchi, slows heart rate, stimulates bile production, stimulates digestion, and causes an erection. The sympathetic nervous system dilates pupils, inhibits salivation, relaxes bronchi, increases heart rate, slows digestion, stimulates glucose release, relaxes intestinal muscles, produces adrenaline, and promotes ejaculation.
    Table 10.1 Functions of Acetylcholine at Cholinergic Receptor Subtypes

    This page titled 10.0: Introduction was last modified on Sun, 29 Dec 2024 08:23:02 GMT and is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax.