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In the [[autonomic nervous system]], fibers from the [[central nervous system|CNS]] to the [[autonomic ganglion|ganglion]] are known as '''preganglionic fibers'''.
In the [[autonomic nervous system]], fibers from the [[central nervous system|CNS]] to the [[autonomic ganglion|ganglion]] are known as '''preganglionic fibers'''.


All preganglionic fibers, whether they are in the [[sympathetic nervous system|sympathetic division]] or in the [[parasympathetic nervous system|parasympathetic division]], are [[cholinergic]] (that is, these fibers use [[acetylcholine]] as their [[neurotransmitter]]).
All preganglionic fibers, whether they are in the [[sympathetic nervous system|sympathetic division]] or in the [[parasympathetic nervous system|parasympathetic division]], are both [[cholinergic]] (that is, these fibers use [[acetylcholine]] as their [[neurotransmitter]]) and [[myelin]]ated.


[[Sympathetic nervous system|Sympathetic]] preganglionic fibers tend to be shorter than parasympathetic preganglionic fibers because sympathetic ganglia are often closer to the spinal cord than are the parasympathetic ganglia.
[[Sympathetic nervous system|Sympathetic]] preganglionic fibers tend to be shorter than parasympathetic preganglionic fibers because sympathetic ganglia are often closer to the spinal cord than are the [[Parasympathetic nervous system|parasympathetic]] ganglia while parasympathetic preganglionic fibers tend to be longer. Another major difference between the two ANS systems is divergence. Whereas in the parasympathetic division there is roughly a divergence factor of roughly 1:4 in the sympathetic division there can be a divergence of up to 1:20. This is due to the number of synapses formed by the preganglionic fibers with ganglionic neurons.


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 14:55, 26 April 2012

Preganglionic fibers
Autonomic nervous system innervation, showing the sympathetic and parasympathetic (craniosacral) systems, in red and blue, respectively
Details
Identifiers
Latinneurofibrae preganglionicae
TA98A14.2.00.009
FMA76568
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

In the autonomic nervous system, fibers from the CNS to the ganglion are known as preganglionic fibers.

All preganglionic fibers, whether they are in the sympathetic division or in the parasympathetic division, are both cholinergic (that is, these fibers use acetylcholine as their neurotransmitter) and myelinated.

Sympathetic preganglionic fibers tend to be shorter than parasympathetic preganglionic fibers because sympathetic ganglia are often closer to the spinal cord than are the parasympathetic ganglia while parasympathetic preganglionic fibers tend to be longer. Another major difference between the two ANS systems is divergence. Whereas in the parasympathetic division there is roughly a divergence factor of roughly 1:4 in the sympathetic division there can be a divergence of up to 1:20. This is due to the number of synapses formed by the preganglionic fibers with ganglionic neurons.

See also