The sympathetic nervous system is a fundamental part of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for regulating the body's responses to situations of stress or danger. Understanding its anatomy, functions and pathway is crucial to understanding how our body reacts to different stimuli and everyday situations.
Anatomy of the Sympathetic Nervous System
The sympathetic nervous system is made up of a series of anatomical structures that extend along the spinal cord and are part of the peripheral nervous system. These structures include the sympathetic ganglia, spinal nerves, and cranial nerves. The sympathetic nervous system divides into two chains of ganglia, one on each side of the spinal cord, which extend from the base of the skull to the lumbar region of the spine.
The sympathetic spinal nerves emerge from the spinal cord through the ventral branches of the spinal nerves and connect to nearby sympathetic ganglia. These nerves transmit signals from the spinal cord to the different organs and tissues of the body. On the other hand, the sympathetic cranial nerves originate in the brain stem and transmit signals to structures such as the heart, lungs, and other vital organs.
Functions of the Sympathetic Nervous System
The The main role of the sympathetic nervous system is to activate the body's "fight or flight" response, which prepares the body to face situations of stress or danger. When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, a series of physiological changes occur in the body that increase the ability to respond and the energy available to deal with the perceived threat.
Some of the functions of the nervous system Sympathetic include:
- Increased heart rate: The sympathetic system stimulates the heart to pump more blood and oxygen to the muscles and organs, preparing them for action.
- Dilation of the airways: This facilitates the entry of air into the lungs and increases blood oxygenation.
- Increased glucose release:The sympathetic system stimulates the release of glucose from the liver, providing additional energy to the muscles.
- Inhibition of non-essential functions:During activation sympathetic, the activity of non-essential systems such as digestion and the immune system is reduced, to redirect energy towards vital functions for immediate survival.
Routure of Sympathetic Signals
Sympathetic signals travel along a series of nervous pathways from the central nervous system to peripheral organs. The pathway of these signals is crucial to guarantee a rapid and coordinated response of the body to stressful situations. The path of sympathetic signals is briefly described below:
- Stimulus: A situation of stress or danger is perceived by the brain, which activates the sympathetic nervous system. to prepare the body for action.
- Central nervous system response: The cerebral cortex and hypothalamus send signals to the brain stem and spinal cord to activate the sympathetic system.
- Triggering of the sympathetic response: From the brainstem and spinal cord, sympathetic signals are transmitted to the spinal and cranial nerves to reach the different organs and tissues of the body
- Action in the organs: In the target organs, sympathetic signals cause the physiological changes necessary to increase the response and available energy, preparing the body to face the situation of stress.
In summary, the sympathetic nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating the stress response and preparing the body for dangerous situations. Its anatomy, functions and pathway are fundamental to understanding how our body reacts and adapts to the different challenges we face in our environment.