describe the pathway of the neurons in the autonomic nervous system to the target/end organ
2 neurons exist in this pathway.
(preganglionic fibres originate from the CNS & Postganglionic fibres originate from autonomic ganglia)
the pre ganglionic neuron is located within the CNS
the cell body of the first neuron is found within the CNS (EXACT LOCATION CHANGES ON PARA/SYMPA)
parasympathetic = brain stem/sacral spinal chord segments
sympathetic = lateral horn of thoracic spinal chord
the axon leaving the CNS is myelinated
the cell body of the 2nd neuron is found within a ganglion
sympathetic = paravertebral ganglia
parasympathetic = found close to or within the target organ
the parasympathetic fibres are usually very long as they originate pre ganglionically craniosacrally and post-ganglionically in or near target organ
the sympathetic originate thoracolumbarly and post-ganglionically they are within prevertebral chains/ganglia