In the parasympathetic division, which nerve carries preganglionic fibres?
Vagus nerve
What innervation of the airways is the dominant neuronal control of bronchial smooth muscle tone?
Parasympathetic cholinergic innervation
In the parasympathetic division, where are the ganglia embedded?
In the walls of bronchi and bronchioles
What do post-ganglionic fibres of the parasympathetic division do?
Innervate bronchial smooth muscle and submucosal glands
What 3 things does stimulation of the parasymapthetic division cause?
A distinct subpopulation of postganglionic parasympathetic fibres employ vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and nitric oxide (NO) as transmitters - when stimulated what do these do?
Relax bronchial smooth muscle
What division has no, or sparse innervation of bronchial smooth muscle in humans?
Sympathetic division
What do postganglionic fibres of the sympathetic division supply?
Sub-mucosal glands and smooth muscle of blood vessels
What does stimulation of the sympathetic division do to bronchial smooth muscle?
Relaxation (via beta-2-adrenoceptors activated by adrenaline released from the adrenal gland)
In the sympathetic division: pre-ganglionic fibres release ACh - what does this activate?
Nicotinic ACh receptors on adrenal chromaffin cells
Sympathetic division: once ACh from pre-ganglionic fibres have been received at nicotinic ACh receptors what is released?
Adrenaline (and noradrenaline) into circulation
Sympathetic division: once noradrenaline has been released into the circulation what receptors are activated and what occurs?
Activation of beta-2-adrenoceptors on bronchial smooth muscle cells by adrenaline causes relaxation.
What does stimulation of the sympathetic division do to mucus secretion?
Decreases mucus secretion mediated by beta-2-adrenoceptors
What does stimulation of the sympathetic division do to mucociliary clearance?
Increases it mediated by beta-2-adrenoceptors
What is the name for a recurrent and reversible obstruction to teh airways in response to substances which are not necessarily noxious?
Asthma
Give 4 common causes of asthma attacks
In asthma what 3 things are caused by intermittent attacks of bronchoconstriction?
What involves pathalogical changes to the bronchioles that result from long standing inflammation?
Chronic asthma
Give 4 pathological changes caused by chronic asthma
Airway narrowing by inflammation and bronchoconstriction increase airway resistance, what do they decrease?
FEV1 and PEFR
Name 2 sensory nerve endings exposed by epithlial damage
2. Irritant receptors
What contributes to increased sensitivity of the airways to bronchoconstriction influences (and may cause neurogenic inflammation) by the release of various peptides?
Epithelial damage
What is another term for inhaled bronchoconstrictors?
Spasmogens (e.g. histamine or methacholine [muscarinic ACh receptor agonist])
What two phases comprise an asthma attack?
Immediate - bronchospasm
Delayed - inflammatory reaction