| autonomic motor neuron | See: motor neuron. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| autonomic motor neurons | (preganglionic neuron's), by contrast, innervate smooth muscle fibres or glands only by the intermediary of a second, peripheral, neuron (postganglionic or ganglionic m. Neuron) located in an autonomic ganglion. See: motor endplate, autonomic nervous system. Synonym: anterior horn cell, motoneuron. (05 Mar 2000) |
| autonomic nerve | <anatomy, nerve> A bundle of nerve fibres outside of the central nervous system belonging or relating to the autonomic nervous system. (05 Mar 2000) |
| autonomic nerve block | Interruption of sympathetic pathways, by local injection of an anaesthetic agent, at any of four levels: peripheral nerve block, sympathetic ganglion block, extradural block, and subarachnoid block. (12 Dec 1998) |
| autonomic nervous system | <anatomy> Neurons that are not under conscious control, comprising two antagonistic components, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The autonomic nervous system regulates key functions including the activity of the cardiac (heart) muscle, smooth muscles (e.g., of the gut), and glands. The autonomic nervous system has two divisions: 1. The sympathetic nervous system that accelerates the heart rate, constricts blood vessels, and raises blood pressure. 2. The parasympathetic nervous system slows the heart rate, increases intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles. (03 Jul 1999) |
| autonomic nervous system diseases | Diseases that have their major effects on the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system may be seriously affected in many other disorders including other peripheral nervous system diseases, infectious diseases (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria), immunologic diseases (e.g., acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), and systemic disorders (e.g., diabetic neuropathy, amyloid neuropathy, thyroid diseases). Disorders of central autonomic control also contribute substantially to a wide variety of problems (e.g., eating disorders, panic disorder, water-electrolyte imbalance, cardiovascular diseases). (12 Dec 1998) |
| autonomic neurogenic bladder | Malfunctioning bladder, secondary to low spinal cord lesions. (05 Mar 2000) |
| autonomic neuropathy | <neurology, pathology> A group of symptoms which is caused by damage to the nerves which supply the internal organs. May be associated with diabetes, alcohol abuse, trauma (nerve injury) and the use of anticholinergic medications. Symptoms include abdominal swelling, heat intolerance, nausea, vomiting, impotence, diarrhoea, constipation, dizziness with standing, difficulty urinating and urinary incontinence. Origin: Gr. Pathos = disease (27 Sep 1997) |
| autonomic nuclei | Nuclei located in the spinal cord (T1-L2, S2-S4) and in the brainstem (Edinger-Westphal nucleus, superior and inferior salivatory nuclei, dorsal vagal nucleus and parts of the ambiguus nucleus) from which general visceral efferent preganglionic fibres arise; may be sympathetic (T1-L2) or parasympathetic (craniosacral); hypothalamic nuclei/areas function in concert with autonomic nuclei. (05 Mar 2000) |
| autonomic part | <anatomy> Neurons that are not under conscious control, comprising two antagonistic components, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The autonomic nervous system regulates key functions including the activity of the cardiac (heart) muscle, smooth muscles (e.g., of the gut), and glands. The autonomic nervous system has two divisions: 1. The sympathetic nervous system that accelerates the heart rate, constricts blood vessels, and raises blood pressure. 2. The parasympathetic nervous system slows the heart rate, increases intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles. (03 Jul 1999) |
| autonomic pathways | Nerves and plexuses of the autonomic nervous system. The central nervous system structures which regulate the autonomic nervous system are not included. (12 Dec 1998) |
| autonomic plexuses | Plexus's of nerves in relation to blood vessels and viscera, the component fibres of which are sympathetic, parasympathetic, and sensory. Synonym: plexus autonomici. (05 Mar 2000) |
| autonomotropic | Acting on the autonomic nervous system. Origin: autonomic + G. Trepo, to turn (05 Mar 2000) |
| autonomous | 1. Independent in government; having the right or power of self-government. 2. <biology> Having independent existence or laws. Origin: Gr.; self + to assign, hold, sway. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| autonomous psychotherapy | A type of psychoanalytic psychotherapy placing special emphasis on the value of the patient's self-determination in both the therapeutic situation and in real life. (05 Mar 2000) |