Svettkörtelnerver

Svettkörtelnerver refers to the nerve fibers that innervate sweat glands. These nerves are part of the autonomic nervous system, specifically the sympathetic nervous system, although they release acetylcholine rather than norepinephrine, which is unusual for sympathetic nerves. These nerve fibers originate from the spinal cord and travel to the sweat glands located in the skin.

The primary function of these nerves is to control and regulate sweating, a process known as sudation. When the body needs to cool down, or in response to certain emotional stimuli, these nerve fibers are activated. They release acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction of the sweat glands, which binds to muscarinic receptors on the sweat gland cells. This binding triggers a series of events within the cells, leading to the secretion of sweat onto the skin's surface.

The density and distribution of sweat glands, and thus their nerve supply, vary across the body. Areas like the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and the forehead have a high concentration of sweat glands and are particularly sensitive to neural stimulation for thermoregulation and emotional sweating. Dysfunction of these svettkörtelnerver can lead to conditions such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) or anhidrosis (inability to sweat), impacting the body's ability to regulate temperature and potentially causing discomfort or other health issues. The study of svettkörtelnerver is important in understanding thermoregulation, physiological responses to stress, and neurological disorders affecting autonomic functions.