Human Anatomy and Physiology: Case Study During a routine physical a 56 year old

Question

Human Anatomy and Physiology: Case Study

During a routine physical a 56 year old retired case worker was found to have hypertension. The patient did not experience any unusual symptoms and had no complaints. Upon examination, chest x rays showed an enlarged left atrium and left ventricle. Blood pressure readings were 154/93mmHg. ( normal BP is 120/80mmHg. With hypertension defined as 140/90mmHg or greater). Cardiac evaluation resulted in the following information:

           

            Cardiac output (CO)                            3.4L/min.

            Blood pressure (BP)                           154/93 mm Hg

            Heart sounds revealed no valvular regurgitation.

Upon follow up appointments she was diagnosed with chronic hypertension.

The doctor prescribes prazosin hydrochloride which is a a-adrenergic-blocking agent and propranolol with is a beta adrenergic-blocking agent. Follow up visits reveal normal BP for the patient.

Autonomic Nervous System Analysis

1. Explain the anatomical differences between the Somatic Nervous system and the ANS.

    What does dual innervation mean? You may use a diagram. (4 points )

2. What neurotransmitters are released by somatic, what neurotransmitters are released by preganglionic sympathetic neurons, postganglionic sympathetic neurons, preganglionic parasympathetic neurons and postganglionic parasympathetic neurons? (5 points)

3. What is an adrenergic neurotransmitter? What ANS system releases this type of neurotransmitter? (4 points)

4. Adrenergic receptors are classified as either Alpha or Beta. What neurotransmitters bind to a ( alpha ) and b (beta ) receptors. (4 points)

5. What is the mechanism of action of the 2 drugs? (8 points)

Explanation / Answer

1.

Dual innervation happens in most of the organs of the body, Dual innervation means that the organs are under the innervation effect of parasympathetic and sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous sytstem. They usually do opposite functionality i.e. one will inhibit and one will excite an action. for example: Opening and closing of sphincters of Gastrointestoibnal tracts.

2.

Property Somatic Nervous system Autonomic nervous system Input posture and movement, higher CNS: conscious control monitors internal body functions, higher CNS:unconscious control Reflex arc Single neuron( efferent neuron form spinal cord- effector) 2 neurons (efferent neuron to ganglion- synapse- post gangalion neuron- effector) Effector Skeletal muscles smooth muscles, cardiac muscles, glands. Inhibition All inhibition occurs in the brain and spinal cord Inhibition occurs in the CNS, at ganglion, or directly at effector. Nerve conduction fast, myelinated alpha motor neurons slow, small myelinated beta neurons and unmyelinated post ganglionic c neurons. Stimulus rate High Slow

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