Definition
These are neurons located in prevertebral and paravertebral ganglia. They are a main component of the so-called autonomic nervous system. These neurons are controlled by preganglionar terminations originating in the spinal cord and their axons are distributed throughout the skin, blood vessels, glands, the heart, and viscera. Upon stimulation, they release the neurotransmitter noradrenaline (norepinephrine) with the exception of some neurons innervating the sweat glands that release acetylcholine. The main functions are maintaining the peripheral vascular tone, accelerating the heart frequency, and inhibiting gastrointestinal motility.
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© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Cuello, A.C. (2010). Sympathetic Neurons. In: Stolerman, I.P. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychopharmacology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68706-1_1384
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68706-1_1384
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-68698-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-68706-1
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