Walsh & Hoyt: Peripheral Autonomic Nervous System

The peripheral component of the autonomic nervous system provides innervation to viscera, glands, blood vessels, and smooth (nonstriated) muscle, forming the visceral portion of the nervous system. Peripheral autonomic nerves also gather impulses from peripheral receptors whose input is used to modulate signals in the brain stem and spinal cord prior to the initiation of effector responses. The receptors and afferent fibers that transmit impulses to autonomic neurons within the spinal cord and brain stem are elements of the visceral sensory system. The efferent autonomic nerves belong to the visceral motor system. Anatomy of the peripheral autonomic nervous system. Physiologoy of the peripheral autonomic nervous system. Pharmacology of the autonomic nervous system. Chemical transmission of autonomic impulses. Denervation supersensitivity. Regeneration of autonomic fibers.