The autonomic nervous system regulates the work of all human organs. Functions, significance and role of the autonomic nervous system

The autonomic nervous system of man has a direct effect on the work of many internal organs, as well as systems. Thanks to her breathing, blood circulation, movement and other functions of the human body. It is interesting that despite its considerable influence, the vegetative nervous system is very "secretive", that is, no one can clearly feel the changes in it. But this does not mean that it is not necessary to pay due attention to the role of VNS in the human body.

The human nervous system: its parts

The main task of the National Assembly is to create an apparatus that would connect all the organs and systems of the human body together. Thanks to this, it could exist and function. The basis of the work of the human nervous system is a peculiar structure, which is called a neuron (they create contact with each other with the help of nerve impulses). It is important to know that the anatomy of a person's NC is a combination of two divisions: animal (somatic) and autonomic (vegetative) nervous systems. The first was created mainly for the human body to be able to contact the external environment. Therefore, this system has a second name - animal (ie, animal), due to the performance of those functions that are inherent in them. The importance of the autonomic nervous system for a person is no less important, but the essence of her work is quite different - control over those functions that are responsible for breathing, digestion and other roles inherent mainly to plants (hence the second name of the system is autonomous).

What is the autonomic nervous system of man?

The VNS carries out its activity with the help of neurons (a set of nerve cells and their processes). They, in turn, work by sending certain signals to various organs, systems and glands from the spinal cord and brain. It is interesting that neurons of the vegetative part of the human nervous system are responsible for the work of the heart (its reduction), the functioning of the digestive tract (intestinal motility), the activity of the salivary glands. Actually, therefore, it is said that the autonomic nervous system organizes the work of organs and systems unconsciously, since initially these functions were inherent in plants, and then already in animals and humans. Neurons, which form the basis of the VNS, are able to create some clusters, located in the brain and spinal cord. They were given the name "nuclei vegetative." Also, near the organs and spine, the vegetative department of the National Assembly is able to form nerve nodes. So, vegetative nuclei are the central part of the animal system, and the nerve nodes are peripheral. In fact, the VNS is divided into two parts: parasympathetic and sympathetic.

What role does the VNS play in the human body?

Often people can not answer a simple question: "The autonomic nervous system regulates the work of what: muscles, organs or systems?"
In fact, it is, in fact, a sort of "response" of the human body to irritation from the outside and from within. It is important to understand that the autonomic nervous system works in your body every second, only its activity is invisible. For example, regulation of a person's normal internal state (blood circulation, breathing, excretion, hormone level, etc.) is the main role of the autonomic nervous system. In addition, it is able to exert the most direct influence on other components of the human body, for example, muscles (cardiac, skeletal), various senses (for example, enlargement or narrowing of the pupil), endocrine glands and much more. The autonomic nervous system regulates the functioning of the human body through a different effect on its organs, which can be conditionally represented by three species:

- control of metabolism in the cells of various organs, the so-called trophic control;

- an indispensable impact on the functions of organs, for example, on the work of the heart muscle - functional control;

- influence on organs due to increase or decrease of their blood flow - vasomotor control.

Composition of the human VNS

It is important to note the main thing: VNS is divided into two components: parasympathetic and sympathetic. The last of them is usually associated with such processes as, for example, struggle, running, that is, strengthening the functions of various organs.

The following processes are observed: an increase in the contractions of the heart muscle (and, as a consequence, an increase in blood pressure above the norm), increased sweating, an increase in pupils, a weak work of intestinal peristalsis. The parasympathetic nervous system works quite differently, that is, in the opposite way. She is characterized by such actions in the human body, under which he rests and learns everything. When she starts to activate the mechanism of her work, the following processes are observed: narrowing of the pupil, decreased allocation of sweat, the cardiac muscle is weaker (ie, the number of her contractions is reduced), the intestinal peristalsis is activated, blood pressure is reduced. The functions of the NNS are reduced to the work of the above-mentioned departments. Their interrelated work allows to maintain the human body in balance. In more simple terms, these components of the VNS should exist in a complex, constantly complementing each other. This system works only because the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems are able to release the neurotransmitters, which bind the organs and systems with the help of nerve signals.

Control and verification of the autonomic nervous system - what is it?

Functions of the autonomic nervous system are under the continuous control of several main centers:

1. Spinal cord. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) creates elements that are in close proximity to the trunk of the spinal cord, and its external components are represented by the parasympathetic department of the VNS.
2. The brain . It has the most direct effect on the work of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, regulating the balance in the entire human body.
3. The brain stem . This is a kind of connection that exists between the brain and spinal cord. He is able to monitor the functions of the VNS, namely, its parasympathetic department (blood pressure, breathing, cardiac contractions and others).
4. The hypothalamus is part of the midbrain. It affects sweating, digestion, heartbeat, etc.
5. Limbic system (in fact, it is the emotions of a person). It is located under the cerebral cortex. Has an impact on the work of both departments of the ANS.

If you take into account the above, immediately noticeable role of the autonomic nervous system, because its activities control such important components of the human body.

Functions performed by the NNS

They arose thousands of years ago, when people learned to survive in difficult conditions. Functions of the autonomic nervous system of a person are directly related to the work of its two main divisions. So, the parasympathetic system is able to normalize the work of the human body after the transferred stress (activation of the sympathetic department of the VNS). Thus, the emotional state is balanced. Undoubtedly, this part of the VNS is responsible for other important roles, for example, sleep and rest, digestion and reproduction. All this is done at the expense of acetylcholine (a substance that transmits nerve impulses from one nerve fiber to another). The work of the sympathetic department of the VNS is aimed at activating all processes of the vital activity of the human body: blood flow to many organs and systems increases, the heart rate increases, sweating increases, and much more. It is these processes that help a person to experience stressful situations. Therefore, we can conclude that the autonomic nervous system regulates the work of the human body as a whole, influencing it in one way or another.

Sympathetic nervous system (SNS)

This part of the human NNS is associated with the struggle or response of the body to internal and external stimuli. Its functions are as follows:

- inhibits the work of the intestine (its peristalsis), by reducing the flow of blood to it;

- increased sweating;

- when a person does not have enough air, his VNS expands bronchioles with the help of appropriate nerve impulses;

- due to narrowing of the blood vessels increase in blood pressure;

- normalizes the level of glucose in the blood due to its decrease in the liver.

It is also known that the autonomic nervous system regulates the work of skeletal muscles - this is directly engaged in its sympathetic department. For example, when your body experiences stress in the form of fever, the sympathetic department of the VNS immediately works as follows: it transmits the appropriate signals to the brain, and it, in turn, increases the sweating or dilates the skin pores with the help of nerve impulses. Thus, the temperature is greatly reduced.

The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)

This component of the VNS is aimed at creating in the human body a state of rest, tranquility, assimilation of all vital processes. His work boils down to the following:

- strengthens the work of the whole gastrointestinal tract, increasing the flow of blood to it;

- directly affects the salivary glands, stimulating the production of saliva, thereby accelerating the intestinal motility;

- reduces the size of the pupil;

- carries out the most strict control over the work of the heart and all its departments;

- reduces the size of bronchioles when the oxygen level in the blood becomes normal.

It is very important to know that the autonomic nervous system regulates the work of the muscles of various organs - this issue, including its parasympathetic department, is also involved. For example, contraction of the uterus during excitation or in the postpartum period is associated with the work of this system. And the erection of a man is subject only to its influence. After all, with the help of nerve impulses blood flows to the genital organs of a man, which the musculature of the penis reacts to.

How does a stressful situation affect the ANS?

I want to say right away that stress can cause incorrect operation of the VNS.
The functions of the autonomic nervous system can be completely paralyzed when such a situation arises. For example, there was a threat to human life (a huge stone falls on him, or a wild animal suddenly appeared before him). Someone immediately escapes, and the other is simply frozen in place without the ability to move from the dead center. It does not depend on the person himself, so reacted to the unconscious level of his VNS. And all this because of the nerve endings, located in the head, oblong brain, limbic system (responsible for emotions). It has already become clear that the vegetative nervous system regulates the work of many systems and organs: digestion, cardiovascular apparatus, reproduction, the activity of the lungs and urinary tract. Therefore, in the human body, there are many centers that can react to stress due to the work of the ANS. But do not worry too much, because most of our life we do not experience strong shocks, so the emergence of such conditions for humans - a rarity.

Deviations in human health caused by abnormal work of the NNS

Of course, from the foregoing it became clear that the autonomic nervous system regulates the work of many systems and organs in the human body. Therefore, any functional violations in its work can significantly disrupt this workflow. By the way, the causes of such disorders can be either heredity, or diseases acquired in the course of life. Often, the work of the human NNS is "invisible", but problems in this activity are already visible on the basis of the following symptoms:

- nervous system: inability of the body to reduce body temperature without too much help;

- Gastrointestinal tract: vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, inability to swallow food, urinary incontinence and much more;

- Skin problems (itching, redness, peeling), brittle nails and hair, increased or decreased sweating;

- sight: blurry pictures, lack of tears, difficulty in focusing;

- Respiratory system: an inappropriate reaction to a low or high oxygen content in the blood;

- heart and vascular system: fainting, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, tinnitus;

- Urinary system: any problems in this area (incontinence, frequency of urination);

- the reproductive system: inability to achieve orgasm, premature erection.

People suffering from VNS disorders (vegetative neuropathy) often can not control its development. It often happens that progressive vegetative dysfunction originates from diabetes. And in this case it will be enough to clearly control the blood sugar level. If the reason is different, you can simply take control of those symptoms that, in one way or another, lead to autonomic neuropathy:

- Gastrointestinal system: drugs that save from constipation and diarrhea; Various exercises that increase mobility; Maintaining a certain diet;

- skin: various ointments and creams that help to remove irritation; Antihistamines to reduce itching;

- cardiovascular system: increased fluid intake; Wearing special underwear; Taking medications that control pressure.

It can be concluded that the autonomic nervous system regulates the functional activity of almost the entire human body. Therefore, any problems that arise in his work should be noticed and studied by highly skilled medical personnel. After all, the value of VNS for a person is enormous - it is thanks to it that he learned to "survive" in stressful situations.