Visceral Functions of the Nervous System

Abstract

In the selection of articles to be reviewed under this heading consideration has been given to the fact that some of the visceral functions of the nervous system are discussed in sections on phy siological effects of heat and cold, respiration, digestive system, liver, peripheral circulation, heart, kidney, reproduction, phar macology, and others.The nomenclature of visceral neurophysiology continues to become more confused. Many older terms are outgrowths of early misconceptions, and some newer terms frequently are not used in the sense originally assigned to them. Standardization of ter minology by an interested group of physiologists, pharmacologists, and anatomists should be attempted. Further breakdown of early broad generalizations about the physiology of the two major divi sions of the autonomic nervous system is apparent, since excep tions to most of these generalizations continue to accumulate.The new book by Pi Suner (1) is one of the most extensive works available dealing primarily with the physiology of the auto nomic nervous system. Bacq (2) has reviewed the literature con cerning chemical transmission of nerve impulses in invertebrates. Responses to acetylcholine and to cholinesterases indicate the presence of cholinergic nerves in some invertebrates, e.g., annelids, and absence of cholinergic nerves in other invertebrates, e.g., most arthropods and mollusks. Existence of adrenergic nerves is con sidered probable in annelids; but, in general, effector cells of in vertebrates are relatively unresponsive to epinephrine. In a re view by Van Campenhout (3) an attempt is made to classify vari ous structures which are characterized by an intimate association of epithelial cells and neural elements. These are designated "epithelioneural" bodies and are divided into neuroectodermal organs, neuroentoblastic organs, neuromesoblastic organs, and neuroepithelial associations of doubtful origin.

The Effect of Nor-Epinephrine Upon Pulmonary Arteriolar Resistance in Man 1

“…Its levo-isomer is twice as active as the optically inactive preparation. Some investigators believe that 1-nor-epinephrine is identical with sympathin E (1); others feel that it is more likely that nor-epinephrine is the precursor of epinephrine at adrenergic nerve endings (2,3). Goldenberg and associates (1) found that in man l-nor-epinephrine increases total peripheral resistance, and in further contrast to epinephrine, does not increase the cardiac output.…”