The document compares the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for conservation of energy and its preganglionic neurons are long while postganglionic neurons are short. It uses acetylcholine as its neurotransmitter. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the fight or flight response and has short preganglionic neurons and long postganglionic neurons. It uses norepinephrine and acetylcholine as neurotransmitters. An upcoming video will discuss the pharmacology of the autonomic nervous system and diseases that can affect it.

9. Physiological actions of Parasympathetic &
Sympathetic Nervous System

15. Somatomotor Nervous System Autonomic Nervous System
Controls voluntary functions Controls involuntary functions
Innervates skeletal muscles Innervates smooth muscle of glands, cardiac
muscle etc
Peripheral motor portion made up of single
neuron
(alpha motor neuron)
Peripheral motor portion made up of two
neurons: preganglionic and postganglionic neuron
A type nerve fiber- thick and highly myelinated B and C fiber type- thin and slightly/non-
myelinated
Fastest impulse transmission Slow impulse transmission
Somotomotor Vs Autonomic Nervous
System

16. Parasympathetic Vs Symapthetic nervous
system
Parasympathetic Sympathetic
Division Craniosacral (X. IX, VII, III, S1-
S4)
Thoracolumbar (T1 to L2)
Preganglionic neurons long short
Postganglionic neurons short long
Neurotransmitter
1. Preganglionic neuron and
autonomic ganglia
2. Postganglionic neuron and
effector
Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine at adrenal
medulla, sweat glands and
Norepinephrine at rest
Response Conservation of energy Flight or fight

17. Upcoming Video
• Pharmacology of Autonomic Nervous System
• Synthesis, release and reuptake of acetylcholine and
norepinephrine and the drugs modulating it.
• Diseases of Autonomic Nervous System
• Youtube link of this topic- https://youtu.be/4meZcuz4cV8