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adrenergic- 1. activated by, characteristic of, or secreting epinephrine or related substances, particularly referring to the sympathetic nerve fibers that liberate norepinephrine at the synpase when a nerve impulse passess. 2. an aagent that produces such an effect. Called also sympathomimetic.

atropine- an alkaloid derived from species of belladonna, hyoscyamus, or stramonium, or produced synthetically. It is an anticholinergic and antispasmodic and is used to relax smooth muscles; to relieve the tremor and rigidity of parkinsonism, and to increase the heart rate by blocking the vagus nerve; as an antidote for various toxic and anticholinesterase agents; and as an antisecretory, mydriatic and cycloplegic. Ingestion of excessive amounts causes atropinism.

autonomic nervous system- the portion of the nervous system concerned wwith regulation of the activity of cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands; usually restricted to the two visceral efferent peripheral components, the smpatetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous sytem.

axon- that process of a neuron by which impulses travel away from the cell body; at the terminal arborization of the axon, the impulses are transmitted to other nerve cells or to effector organs. (In the case of the ANS, preganglionic cell axons are lightly if at all myelinated while those of post-ganglionic cells are unmyelinated).
 

B
bethanechol- a cholinergic agonist having primarily muscarinic effects; used to stimulate smooth muscle contraction of the urinary bladder and gastrointestinal tract in the treatment of postoperative, postpartum, or neurogenic atony of the bladder with retention, postoperative atony of the gastrointestinal tract, congenital megacolon, and gastrointestinal reflux. Administered orally or subcutaneously.

bradycardia- slowness of the heart beat, as evidenced by slowing of the pulse rate.

BUN (blood urea nitrogen)- the urea concentration of blood or serum stated in terms of nitrogen content.

C
catecholamines- one of a group of biogenic amines having a sympathomimetic action, the aromatic portion of whose molecule is catechol, and the aliphatic portion an amine; examples are dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine.

chromatolysis-disintegration of the Nissl (chromophil) bodies of a nerve cell as the result of injury, or of fatigue or exhaustion.

chorda tympani nerve-****

ciliary ganglion-***

cisapride- an agent that enhances the release of acetylcholine at the myenteric plexus, used to promote gastric emptying in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastroparesis: administered orally.

cranial cervical ganglion-***

cranial nerves-***

D
dysautonomia-malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. 2. feline dysautonomia- a neurological disorder of cats, characterized by decreased numbers of neurons in autonomic and cranial nerve ganglia, resulting in mydriasis, dry mucous membranes, megaesophagus, bradycardia, and constipation.
dysphagia- difficulty in swallowing.

dysuria- any difficutly of urination.

E
edinger-Westphal Nucleus- ***

enrofloxacin- a veterinary quinolone antibiotic with actions aand uses similar to those of ciprofloxacin in humans.

epinephrine- 1. a catecholamine hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla and a neurotransmitter, released by certain neurons and active in the central nervous system. It is stored in the chromaffin granules and is released in response to hypoglycemia, stress, and other stimuli. It is a potent stimulator of the adrenergic receptors of the sympathetic nervous system and a powerful cardiac stimulant that accelerates the heart rate and increases cardiac output. It also promotes glycogenolysis and exerts other metabolic effects.

erythromycin- a broad-spectrum macrolide antibiotic, produced by Streptomyces erythreus, effective against most gram-positive and certain gram-negative bacteria, such as Neisseria species and Haemophilus influenzae, and against spirochetes, some rickettsias, and Entamoeba; it is also highly effective against Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It is used especially in patients allergic to penicillin and in those with penicillin-resistant infections.
esophageal dilation-***

external anal sphincter***

extrinsic neurons***

F
facial nerve-***

Flare- the red outermost zone of the “triple response” urticarial wheal reaction, a manifestaion of immediate, as opposed to delayed, allergy or hypersensitivity. A spreading flush or area of redness on the skin, spreading out around an infective lesion or extending beyond the main point of reaction to an irritant.

G
ganglion- anatomic nomenclature for a group of nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system; occasionally applied to certain nuclear groups within the brain or spinal cord such as the basal gaglia.

   autonomic***
   ciliary***
   cranial cervical***
   mandibular***
   sublingual***

gastric dilation***

gastroparesis- paralysis of the stomach.

glossopharyngeal nerve***

H
histamine- a decarboxylation product of histidine found in all body tissues, particularly in the mast cells and their related blood basophils. It has several functions, including dilation of capillaries, which increases capillary permeability and results in a drop of blood pressure, contraction of most smooth muscle tissue, including bronchial smooth muscle of the lung, induction of increased gastric secretion, and acceleration of the heart rate. Cellular receptors of histamine include three types: the H1 receptors mediate the contraction of smooth muscle and the effects of capillaries; the H2 receptors mediate the acceleration of heart rate and the promotion of gastric acid secretion. Both H1 and H2 receptors mediate the contraction of vascular smooth muscle. H3 receptors occur in a number of systems including the central nervous system and peripheral nerves, and are believed to play a role in regulation of the release of histamine and other neurotransmitters from neurons.

hypoglossal nerve***

hypotension- abnormally low blood pressure; seen in shock but not necessarily indicative of it.

I
incontinence- inability to control excretory functions, such as defecation or urination.

incontinence (fecal)- failure of control of the anal sphincters, with involuntary passage of feces and flatus.

incontincence (urinary)-failure of voluntary control of the vesical and urethral sphincters, with constant or frequent involuntary urination.

intermediolateral cell column***

internal anal sphincter***

intradermal skin testing***

intrinsic neurons***

J

K

L
lacrimation- the secretion and discharge of tears.

lateral geniculate nucleus***

lateral tecto-tegmentospinal system***

M
megaesophagus- when the thoracic esophagus loses its normal peristaltic activity and becomes dilated.

metaclopramide***

miosis- contraction of the pupil.

motility***

Muscarine- a cholinomimetic alkaloid characterized by parasympathetic effects.

muscarinic- denoting the effects of muscarine or acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors (see muscarine).

mydriasis- dilation of the pupil.

N
neurotransmitter- any of a group of substances that are released on excitation from the axon terminal of a presynaptic neuron of the central or peripheral nervous system and travel across the synaptic cleft to either excite or inhibit the target cell. Among the many substances that have the properties of a neurotransmitter are acetylcholine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, glycine, GABA, glutamic acid, substance P, enkephalins, endorphins, and serotonin.

nicotinic- denoting the effect of nicotine and other drugs in initially stimulating and subsequently, in high doses, inhibiting neural impulses at autonomic ganglia and the neuromuscular junction.
noradrenergic- activated by or secreting norepinephrine.

norepinephrine- one of the naturally occurring catecholamines, a neurohormone released by the postganglionic adrenergic nerves and some brain neurons; it is a major neurotrasmitter that acts on alpha and beta 1-adrenergic receptors. It is also secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to splanchnic stimulation and is stored in the chromaffin granules. It is a powerful vasopressor and is released in the body usually in response to hypotension or stress. Called also noradrenaline.
 

O
oculomotor nerve***

optic chiasm***

optic nerve***

optic tract***

P
parasympathetic nervous system***

penicillin- any of a large group of natural or semisynthetic antibacterial antibiotics derived directly or indirectly from strains of fungi of the genus Penicillium and other soil-inhabiting fungi grown on special culture media, which exert a bacteriocidal as well as a bacteriostatic effect on susceptible bacteria by interfering with the final sages of the synthesis of peptidoglycan, a substance in the bacterial cell wall. The penicillins, despite their relatively low toxicity for the host, are active against many bacteria, especially gram-positive pathogens; clostridia; some gram-negative forms; some spirochetes; and some fungi. Certain strains of some target species, e.g., staphylococci, secrete the enzyme penicllinase, which inactivates penicillin and confers resistance to the antibiotic.

Pilocarpine- a cholinomimetic alkaloid obtained from leaves of plants of the genus Pilocarpus, having predominantly muscarinic effects. When applied to the eye, it produces miosis and a transient rise and persistent fall in intraocular pressure; used in the treatment of glaucoma.

pilocarpine response test- ***

pretectal nucleus***

prokinetic agents- chemicals which stimulate movement or motility, such as drugs that promote gastrointestinal motility.

pseudo-obstruction (intestinal)- a condition simulating obstruction. Intestinal- a condition characterized by constipation, colicky pain, and vomiting, but without evidence of organic obstruction apparent at laparotomy.

ptyalism- excessive salivation.

purulent- pertaining to or consisting of pus.

Q

R

S
Schirmer tear test***

sympathetic nervous system***

T
tachycardia- excessive rapidity in the action of the heart.

trigeminal nerve***

tympano-occipital fissure***

U

V
vagus nerve***

visual pathways***

W
wheal- a smooth, slightly elevated area on the body surface, which is redder or paler than the surrounding skin; it is often accompanied by severe itching and is usually evanescent, changing its size or shape or disappearing within a few hours. It is the typical lesion of urticaria, the dermal evidence of allergy.

Wheal and flare response- see also wheal. See also flare.

X
xerostomia- dryness of the mouth from salivary gland dysfunction.

Y

Z

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