Postganglionic nerve fibers

In the autonomic nervous system, fibers from the ganglion to the effector organ are called postganglionic fibers.

Neurotransmitters

The neurotransmitters used for postganglionic fibers differ:

• In the parasympathetic division, they are cholinergic (that is, they use acetylcholine as their neurotransmitters.)

• In the sympathetic division, most are adrenergic (that is, they use norepinephrine as their neurotransmitters.) One exception of this is the sympathetic innervation of sweat glands, which uses acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter, at both pre and post ganglionic synapses. Furthermore, another exception is the sympathetic innervation of the adrenal glands, which is done directly by the preganglionic fiber, and subsequently uses acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter.

See also

• Preganglionic fibers
• Nerve fiber

External links

• Diagram at University of Waterloo