Postganglionisten

Postganglionisten, or postganglionic neurons, are the final neuronal cell bodies in the autonomic nervous system that directly innervate target organs. They receive signals from preganglionic neurons that originate in the central nervous system and project to autonomic ganglia. After synapsing in the ganglion, the postganglionic neuron extends its axon to the effector tissue, such as smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, or glands.

In the sympathetic division, postganglionisten are typically shorter with cholinergic (acetylcholine) neurotransmission to the ganglion and catecholaminergic (noradrenaline) transmission to the target. In contrast, postganglionisten in the parasympathetic division are usually longer; they release acetylcholine onto effector cells. Both divisions may use additional co‑transmitters such as neuropeptide Y or vasoactive intestinal peptide to fine‑tune responses.

The distribution of postganglionisten plays a key role in regulating heart rate, bronchial tone, gastrointestinal motility, vascular resistance, and glandular secretion. For example, sympathetic postganglionisten innervating the heart increase contractility and rate, whereas parasympathetic postganglionisten generate the opposite effect.

Clinically, dysfunction of postganglionisten can contribute to conditions such as dysautonomia, orthostatic hypotension, or gastrointestinal motility disorders. Therapies aimed at modulating autonomic tone often target the signaling pathways of these neurons.