Parasympathetic nervous system

The parasympathetic nervous system is one of two divisions of the autonomic nervous system. It conserves energy as it slows the heart rate, increases intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles. In another words, it acts to reverse the effects of the Sympathetic nervous system.

Related Topics:
Parasympathetic nervous system - Autonomic nervous system - Sympathetic nervous system

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The parasympathetic nervous system only uses acetylcholine (ACh) as its neurotransmitter. The ACh acts on two types of receptors, the muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptors. Most transmissions occur in two stages, when stimulated the preganglionic nerve releases ACh at the ganglion, which act on nicotinic receptors of the postganglionic nerve. The postganglionic nerve then releases ACh to stimulate the muscarinic receptors of the target organ.

Related Topics:
Acetylcholine - Neurotransmitter - Muscarinic - Nicotinic

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The three main types of muscarinic receptors that are well characterised are:

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• The M1 muscarinic receptors are located in the neural system.
• The M2 muscarinic receptors are located in the heart, they act to bring the heart back to normal after the actions of the Sympathetic nervous system. They slow down the heart rate, reduce contractile forces of the atrial cardiac muscle, and reduce conduction velocity of the Atrioventricular node (AV node). Note, they have no effect on the contractile forces of the ventricular muscle.
• The M3 muscarinic receptors are located at many places in the body. They are located in the smooth muscles of the blood vessels, as well as in the lungs. This means they cause vasoconstriction and bronchoconstriction. They are also in the smooth muscles of the Gastrointestinal tract (GIT), which help in increasing intestinal motility and dilating sphincters. The M3 receptors are also located in many glands which help to stimulate secretion in salivary glands and other glands of the body.
 
Parasympathetic nervous system: Reference ►