KEY POINTS

1. The autonomic nervous system differs from the somatic motor system in at least two important ways.

2. The autonomic nervous system has two major subdivisions.

3. The sympathetic nervous system arises from the thoracolumbar spinal cord.

4. The parasympathetic nervous system arises from the brainstem and spinal cord.

5. Most autonomic neurons secrete either acetylcholine or norepinephrine as a neurotransmitter.

6. Acetylcholine and norepinephrine have different postsynaptic receptors.

7. There are general differences in sympathetic and parasympathetic function.

8. The autonomic nervous system participates in many homeostatic reflexes.

9. Preganglionic neurons are influenced by many regions of the brain.

10. Loss of autonomic neurons results in the hypersensitivity of the target organ to transmitter.