Introduction to Basic Aspects of the Autonomic Nervous System, Sixth Edition, Volume One is an all-encompassing reference on the autonomic nervous system's basic function, dysfunction and pathology. This volume describes the anatomy of the autonomic nervous system and its role in the regulation of blood pressure, body temperature, respiration, micturition, digestion and renal function. Additional chapters focus on the autonomic modulation of the neuroendocrine system, sexual function, and immunity. There is also a chapter on mummies and the autonomic nervous system.

With these chapters, readers will gain extensive knowledge on the autonomic nervous system's anatomy, functional organization and neurochemistry, which is critical to care for patients with autonomic disorders and guide patient-oriented research.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. Autonomic anatomy, histology, and neurotransmission
Abstract
1.1 Historical perspective
1.2 Anatomy of the autonomic nervous system
1.3 The intrinsic cardiac nervous system; its role in cardiac pacemaking and conduction
1.4 Human sympathetic preganglionic vasomotor and sudomotor neurons
1.5 The neurogenic control of the cutaneous circulation
1.6 Neurotransmitters
1.7 Peptides
1.8 The neurogenic control of the circulation in skeletal muscles
1.9 Shear stress and arterial lumen
1.10 Catecholamines and neurologic disease
References
Chapter 2. Neurogenic control of the circulation, syncope, and hypertension
Abstract
2.1 Neurogenic control of the circulation
2.2 Syncope
2.3 Hypertension
References
Chapter 3. Thermoregulation
Abstract
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Thermoregulatory pathway and peripheral thermoreceptors
3.3 Vasomotor responses
3.4 Local blood vessel changes and environmental temperature
3.5 The hypothalamus
3.6 The measurement of temperature
3.7 Abnormalities of body temperature
3.8 Temperature regulation during fever
3.9 Temperature regulation and exercise
3.10 Periodic fevers
3.11 Peptides
3.12 Sweating and thermoregulation
References
Further reading
Chapter 4. Autonomic modulation of the neuroendocrine system
Abstract
4.1 The hypothalamus and neuroendocrine modulation
4.2 The autonomic nervous system and the pineal gland
References
Chapter 5. Neurogenic control of respiration
Abstract
5.1 Introduction
5.2 The control of respiratory movements
5.3 Pulmonary respiratory reflexes
5.4 Breathlessness
5.5 The nasal cycle
5.6 The cerebrospinal fluid and the control of pulmonary ventilation
5.7 Abnormalities in respiration related to disease of the nervous system
References
Chapter 6. The enteric nervous system
Abstract
6.1 Introduction anatomy and physiology
6.2 Appetite, satiety, hunger, and the hypothalamus
6.3 Normal swallowing and its disorders
6.4 The stomach
6.5 The intestine
6.6 The rectum and defecation
6.7 Vomiting
6.8 Other reflexes
6.9 Rectal biopsy in the diagnosis of neurological disease
6.10 The irritable bowel syndrome
6.11 Diarrhea and noninvasive secretagogues
6.12 Idiopathic intestinal pseudoobstruction
6.13 Enteric nervous system stem cell therapy for enteric neuropathies
6.14 The gut brain axis
References
Chapter 7. Autonomic modulation of immunity
Abstract
7.1 Autonomic nervous system and inflammation
7.2 Autonomic innervation of the main immune organs
7.3 Effects of ablation experiments on the immune system
7.4 Neural control of immunity in hypertension
7.5 Multiple sclerosis and autonomic function
7.6 Paraneoplastic syndromes and autonomic failure
7.7 Experimental autonomic neuropathy
7.8 Physical activity and nutritional influence on immune function
References
Chapter 8. Neurogenic control of sexual function
Abstract
8.1 Innervation of sexual organs
8.2 Central nervous system
8.3 Sexual activity in females
8.4 Sexual responses in males
8.5 Neuroanatomical sex differences
8.6 Sexual function in patients with nervous system lesions
References
Chapter 9. Neurogenic control of renal function
Abstract
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Sympathetic innervation of the kidneys
9.3 Sensory renal nerves
9.4 Regulation of renal sympathetic nerve activity
9.5 Renal nerves in diseases
9.6 Neural regulation of thirst and salt appetite
9.7 The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
9.8 Special considerations
References
Chapter 10. Neurogenic control of micturition
Abstract
10.1 Introduction
10.2 The anatomy of the bladder and urethra
10.3 Muscles of the pelvic diaphragm and the perineum
10.4 Peripheral innervation of the bladder and urethra
10.5 Influences of the central nervous system on micturition
10.6 Reflex micturition
10.7 Voluntary micturition
10.8 Pathology in humans
References
Chapter 11. The archeology of autonomic function
Abstract
11.1 Diseases with autonomic nervous system involvement in mummy studies
11.2 Paleoneurobiology
11.3 Statistical methods in bioarchaeology
References
Index