Human Anatomy - Kotsan I. Ya. 2009

Autonomic (vegetative) nervous system
Suprasegmental autonomic centers

Suprasegmental autonomic centers are shared by both the sympathetic and parasympathetic Divisions of the Autonomic Nervous system. They are concentrated in the Cerebral Cortex, subcortical structures, Cerebellum, and Brainstem.

Within the cerebral cortex, the highest concentration of these centers is found in the frontal and parietal lobes. For instance, the motor centers governing the innervation of smooth Muscle in Internal Organs and Blood Vessels are located primarily in the precentral and frontal regions. The cortical Termination of the interoceptive analyzer (responsible for reception from internal organs and blood vessels), along with the centers for sweating and METABOLISM, are also situated here. Motor centers are additionally located in the temporal region (regulating The activity of The Heart, Lungs, and abdominal organs). Receptors of the Respiratory system are linked to the insular cortex, whereas those of the abdominal organs connect to the postcentral gyrus. The centers regulating the pupillary reflex are localized in the occipital region near the calcarine sulcus.

The subcortical nuclei (corpus striatum) house the centers for thermoregulation, salivation, and lacrimation.

The cerebellum participates in The regulation of such autonomic Functions as the pupillary reflex, Skin trophic processes (wound healing rate), and the contraction of arrector pili Muscles (goosebumps). It also receives afferent signals from the receptors of internal organs.

Among all brainstem structures, the reticular formation plays a crucial role in regulating autonomic functions. Its nuclei (numbering around 100 in total) form vital suprasegmental centers—such as the respiratory, vasomotor, cardiac, swallowing, vomiting, and Metabolic Regulation centers, among others.

A special place among higher autonomic centers is occupied by the limbic system—a complex of structures spanning the Midbrain, Diencephalon, and Telencephalon—which integrates autonomic, somatic, and emotional responses. The limbic system comprises the amygdala, stria medullaris of the thalamus, Hypothalamus, hippocampus, fornix, septum pellucidum, mammillary bodies, mamillothalamic tract, thalamus, cingulate gyrus, and cingulum. This is because behavioral responses originally evolved on The basis of Olfaction, the primary and historically oldest distance analyzer.

The limbic system acts as a distinct "visceral Brain" involved in the regulation of all autonomic functions. Concurrently, it participates in the Organism's holistic response to external and internal stimuli, manifested as specific human behavioral patterns.